City and School District Announce Finalists in the
                                      "Only Tap Water Delivers" Art & Essay Contest

Posted 05/07/09

Imaginative Moline students explored the many benefits of Moline tap water as they participated in the “Only Tap Water Delivers” Art and Essay Contest in May. Third grade students from 12 elementary schools used their artistic talents to create original art relating to the “Only Tap Water Delivers” theme. Middle and high school students wrote thoughtful essays on the same subject. Through this creative learning process, these students came to recognize the beneficial role of tap water in supporting our high standard of living.

The 2009 contest finalists are as follows:

Essay Finalists
Anthony Ceurvorst Moline High School Grade 10
Austin Paytash Moline High School Grade 10
Alex Carmack Wilson Grade 8
Ellie Peterson Wilson Grade 8
Lilia Torres Wilson Grade 8
Hannah Ceurvorst John Deere Grade 8
Jasmine Davila John Deere Grade 8
Peter McNaught John Deere Grade 8

Essay Winners
Allyssa Decker Moline High School Grade 11
Allie Masias Wilson Grade 8
Chris Chappell John Deere Grade 8

Art Finalists
Kiah Bambauer Bicentennial Grade 3
Zach Davis Logan Grade 3
Jackie Ferreira Lincoln-Irving Grade 3
Carlos Gutierrez Ericsson Grade 3
Laney Krebs Hamilton Grade 3
Gillian Larson Jane Addams Grade 3
Riley Maidlow Franklin Grade 3
Mukul Nair Washington Grade 3
Ryan O'Hern Garfield Grade 3
Jazmin Sengrasmy Willard Grade 3
Alonzo Vargas Roosevelt Grade 3

Art Winner
William Muck Butterworth Grade 3


Many of the essays brought to the light the serious problems of waterborne disease and economic hardship in many developing countries that do not have safe and reliable tap water. The colorful artwork illustrates the many ways tap water touches our daily lives. The combined creative effort of all the participating students has enhanced tap water appreciation in our community.

One art finalist was selected from each elementary school and eleven essay finalists were selected from the Middle and High schools. Each of these contest finalists was publically recognized by Acting Mayor Pro Tem Lori Turner and School Superintendent Cal Lee during a special ceremony held on May 6, 2009, in celebration of National Drinking Water Week.

This is the third year that the City of Moline has enlisted the help of Moline students to make its annual water quality report more interesting and appealing to those who rely on Moline’s tap water every day. The top winning artwork will be featured on the cover of this report and the top three student essays will be published within the report. The water quality report will be distributed in the Dispatch newspaper on Sunday, June 21. Artwork and essays will also be on display at the Moline Public Library during the month of May.