Young artists earn funds for their schools through Illinois American Water's 'Imagine a Day Without Water' art contest

Young Illinois artists recently participated in Illinois American Water's annual "Imagine a Day Without Water art contest."

Entries from third to fifth-grade students depicted what a day without water meant to them and included a related phrase.

Of the many entries received, Illinois American Water chose 26 winners, earning those classrooms a $100 donation to be used for supplies or a classroom celebration.

The winning artwork can be viewed at tinyurl.com/yxpw3qo7 on Illinois American Water's Facebook page.

Illinois American Water holds the contest in conjunction with the Value of Water Coalition's annual "Imagine a Day Without Water" event to raise awareness about the value of water service.

"This art contest helps us educate about water service in a creative way, bringing together both art and science," said Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water president. "Though it's hard to imagine even just one day without water, our young customers, when posed with the question of what a day without water would mean to them, truly understand the impact to fire protection, sanitary services, plants, animals and more."

The art contest winners are listed below in no particular order:

Alton:

Iliana Ursch, fifth-grader at East Elementary

Belleville:

Noa Grace Welborn, fifth-grader at Notre Dame Academy

Rheece Garavalia, fifth-grader at Blessed Sacrament School

Champaign:

Deborah Kim, fifth-grader at Bottenfield Elementary

Columbia:

Isabel Roche, fourth-grader at Immaculate Conception School

Fisher:

Addilyn Bent-Perzee, fifth-grader at Fisher Grade School

Godfrey:

Madison Bassett, fifth-grader at St. Ambrose Catholic School

Madelyn Hudanick, fifth-grader at St. Ambrose Catholic School

Colton Nevins, third-grader at North Elementary School

Homer Glen:

Francis Anthony Jackson, third-grader at Reed School

Lincoln:

Jade Polen, third-grader at Central School

Makayla Curry, fifth-grader at Central School

Millstadt:

Marissa Romero, third-grader at St. James Catholic School

Peoria:

Allison Ramirez, fifth-grader at St. Mark School

Emily Kauffman, fourth-grader at St. Vincent School

Rafferty Arnold, fourth-grader at St. Jude Catholic School

Malaika Ford, third-grader at Pleasant Hill School

Pontiac:

Lily Sipe, fourth-grader at St. Mary's School

South Beloit:

Diana Reza-Zavala, fourth-grader at St. Peter School

Sterling:

Claire VonHolten, fifth-grader at St. Mary's School

Streator:

Lahla Thompson, fifth-grader at Northlawn Junior High

Tolono:

Adam Reedy, fifth-grader at Unity West Elementary

Danika Eisenmenger, fifth-grader at Unity West Elementary

Jordan Hamilton, third-grader at Unity East Elementary

Wheaton:

Janie Fischesser, fourth-grader at St. Michael Parish School

Grace Timmons, St. Michael Parish School

Hauk added, "We want to thank our local educators for taking time to talk to their students about the value of water. Our team was impressed with the number and quality of entries received from across the state."

The winning artwork may be featured in future Illinois American Water customer communications.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit www.amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.