May 28, 2026

Water Awareness Calendar Contest Winners Honored

Virginia Beach elementary school students have artwork featured in 2027 calendar.

2027 Water Awareness calendar artists

Top: Hydro Joe Mascot, Deputy City Manager Kenneth L. Chandler; Middle: Zaharya Davis, Zaedith Ghacham, Heidi Withers, Kali Honeycutt, Mia Berry, Adelina Mitchell; Bottom: Eliana Crandell, Gabriella Anne Vidal, Killian Brocato, Makenna Carter, Josie Krueger, Genevieve Schmouder; Not Pictured: Jasmine Ceron

Thirteen young artists were recognized for their submissions that are featured in the City’s 2027 Water Awareness Calendar. Excited children, beaming parents, proud teachers and principals celebrated their artwork on Thursday, May 7. 

The awards ceremony, officiated by Deputy City Manager Kenneth L. Chandler and Public Utilities Director Robert S. Montague Jr., marked the Water Awareness Calendar Contest’s 31st anniversary.  

Each year, kindergarten through fifth-grade students who live or attend school in Virginia Beach can submit artwork depicting one of the following themes: 

  • Water conservation 
  • Backflow prevention 
  • Keeping fats, oil and grease out of the sanitary sewer system 
  • What not to flush 

Thirteen winning illustrations and 36 honorable mentions were selected from about 300 entries. The 2027 Water Awareness Calendar will feature artwork from 30 different Virginia Beach schools. The winning illustrations and honorable mentions are available to view at VirginiaBeach.gov/CalendarContest. 

In late fall, the 2027 Water Awareness Calendars will be made available for free at all Virginia Beach public libraries and recreation centers. 

Calendar Contest

Know a young artist who would like to enter their artwork to be considered for the calendar? Submissions open in early 2027 for the next year’s calendar. Visit VirginiaBeach.gov/CalendarContest to view the contest rules and know when artwork will be accepted. 


Virginia Beach Public Utilities is committed to helping Virginia Beach residents of all ages learn about the value of water and how to conserve it, how to keep drains clear, how to protect your pipes and more.

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