Citrus County Utilities is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 “Drop Savers” Poster Contest. Five division winners and one honorable mention were selected from participating schools throughout the County. Each elementary, middle, and high school winner focused on how to use less water and encourage water-conservation behaviors.

Students Excel at Water Conservation Poster Contest

This year’s theme was “Fixing Leaks Saves Water” to raise awareness to the nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Division one poster winner, first-grader Brody Wester from Seven Rivers Christian School says, “Fixing Leaks Saves Water.” Third grade division two winner Alea Mazzina of Lecanto Primary asks that we fix those broken sprinkler heads. The division three winner is Lola Shaqiri, a fourth grader at Hernando Elementary. Seventh grader Taylor Ayers of Inverness Middle School placed first in division four with her drawing of Earth tapped with a dripping faucet. Artwork by division five winner Senior Kayla Brenton, Crystal River High School, says, “Stop the Drip.” Lastly, tenth-grader Julia Gaffney of Seven Rivers Christian took honorable mention for her brightly painted sea turtle plugging leaks with its feet. 

All winning students earned a $25 prize. The division one through five winning teachers received fifty dollars for supplies. A plaque displaying the prized artwork was issued to schools.  

Citrus County Utilities hosts the annual poster contest to raise awareness of simple ways to save water.  The contest supports the Keep Citrus County Beautiful “Save Our Waters Week” campaign, the Florida Section of American Water Works Association “Drops Savers” poster contest, and the EPA Water Sense “Fix A Leak Week” campaign.

•          Div1: Brody Wester and teacher Ryan Bogart, SRCS

•          Div2: Lecanto Primary teacher Kelly Zoucha and Alea Mazzina

•          Div3: Lola Shaqiri, Hernando Elementary

•          Div4: Taylor Ayers and Principal Melissa Baird, Inverness Middle School 

•          Div5: Crystal River High teacher Anthony Mason, Principal Janet Tuggle and Kayla Brenton

•          Honorable Mention: Honorable Mention Julia Gaffney