Letter: A rewarding opportunity

EDITOR,
Thanks to the Scotts Valley Water District, especially Jessica Perak, and to Emily Brandt, graphic arts teacher at Scotts Valley, for giving students the wonderful opportunity to use art as a voice for the Earth. Ms. Perak and Ms. Brandt championed the district’s annual Water Conservation Print Ad Design Contest, and my son wound up winning first place — and a $500 scholarship!
But that is not all he took away from the awards ceremony. The respectful and appreciative welcome the winners were given, with the focus on conservation, was the best civics lesson I could want for him. He felt like an active member of his community, and that, I believe, is about the best antidote to the disaffection so prevalent today.
I’m so grateful he was given the opportunity to experience just what community participation feels like — rewarding!