SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3, 2018 – Syzergy, a nonprofit headquartered in Sacramento, announces that Angelina Hernandez, a student at Monache High School in Porterville, California, won first place in a high school video competition about the importance of conserving water. Ramona Gamboa, also a student at Monache High School, received second place. Milt Stowe, Porterville’s Mayor, was at Porterville City Hall Wednesday July 27th to present both winners with a Certificate of Recognition and City coin.
Angelina and Ramona observed the California drought firsthand when Tulare County became “drought central” for the state. Over a 5-year period, more than 1,900 groundwater wells in the county failed, leaving thousands of residents without water. Angelina said, “I realized that water plays a huge role in my life…I wanted to say something and stick up for the planet.”
Ramona created her video to spread awareness in Tulare County on the importance of saving water. Both students aspire to work in film—Ramona in editing and Angelina as a director.
Mayor Milt Stowe noted that “The City of Porterville is honored to be able to applaud these two high school students who are demonstrating great initiative in recognizing the importance of water in a region that was hit extremely hard by the most recent drought. I’m thrilled to know that our youth recognize this issue because they are the voice of our future.”
This video contest was sponsored by The Billion Gallon Challenge program that is funded by a Water-Energy Grant from the state Department of Water Resources. The Billion Gallon Challenge program aims to reduce water and energy use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by installing thousands of above code showerheads, faucet aerators, and high efficiency clothes washers for eligible residents in 4 counties: Tulare, Kern, Kings, and Fresno. Proteus, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Visalia, CA, is managing the installations of water efficient fixtures and appliances. Syzergy is managing the educational campaign that encourages tomorrow’s leaders to help spread the word about the importance of saving water, saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Prizes for this contest were provided by Water Energy Innovations.
This video contest was implemented in partnership with LeafRocks’ Voice 4 Water program and the Porterville Unified School District’s innovative Pathways Linked Learning Program. This Program gives students the opportunity to choose a career path, such as Multimedia and Technology, so that they can get real world experience. This contest is the first of many activities that The Billion Gallon Challenge will be rolling out this summer and beyond. Stay informed and up to date on all activities and view the winning videos by visiting billiongallonchallenge.org.