Staff Report

Area high school students are invited to win prizes by creating 30-second “water-wise” videos that center on this year’s theme, “Life after Lawn.”

Applications for the 21st Annual WaterWise High School Video Contest are now open, according to the Santa Barbara County Water Agency.

Every year, students compete to create entertaining and informational videos that convey the importance of water-use efficiency in Santa Barbara County. 

The contest meets several California State Department of Education Content Standards, including implementing world languages.

“Our long-standing and popular program continues to evolve, and this year we are thrilled to be adding a Spanish language category,” said Water Agency manager Fray Crease.

Up to three videos in English and/or Spanish can be submitted per school. The winning videos will receive prizes and will be aired on local TV stations and in movie theaters.

While the County Water Agency and water providers arrange for monetary prizes to the winning schools, local private sponsors provide awards for the students:

First Place (English): $500 provided by Carollo Engineers.

First Place (Spanish): $500 provided by Univision. 

Second Place: $250 provided by Geosyntec.

Third Place: $150 provided by Ewing Irrigation.

Two Honorable Mentions for North and South County submissions:

  North County: Car wash vouchers provided by Splash N’ Dash Car Wash.

 South County: Film festival tickets provided by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

People’s Choice Award (voted by the public): $500 provided by All-Around Landscape Supply.

To be eligible to win prizes, student participants must submit their videos and completed application packet online by 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 6. The student winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in May.

For more information and the application, visit WaterWiseSB.org/HSVC.