Bethune Middle School Student Takes DeKalb Honors in Water Essay Contest

(ATLANTA - January 12, 2007)

Velvanique Seward, a student at Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School, is the Dekalb County winner in the fifth annual water conservation and preservation essay contest, sponsored by the Clean Water Campaign and the Water Use It Wisely Campaign. Commissioner Larry Johnson will present her award at Bethune Middle School on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

The Clean Water Campaign and Water Use It Wisely teamed up to encourage children to address the growing need to improve water quality and conservation efforts in Georgia. Students researched and shared their thoughts on why conserving water and preventing water pollution are important for the future of their river, lakes and streams. The main goal of this program is to encourage students to create inventive solutions to water conservation and water quality in metro North Georgia.

In her essay, Seward says, “We need a sincere effort from everyone in keeping our water safe. I know we can all do something in our communities to protect our water supply. Are you willing to help?”

The contest was open to sixth, seventh and eighth graders in Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale and Walton counties. Each participating school submitted its winning essay for the county competition, and one overall winner was selected from among the county winners. County winners receive a Clean Water Campaign / Water Use It Wisely certificate presented by an elected official from that county and a $25 cash prize.

About the Clean Water Campaign
The Clean Water Campaign (www.cleanwatercampaign.com) is a cooperative, multi-agency public education initiative spearheaded by local governments in metro Atlanta, supported by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Its mission is to build awareness of water quality problems and solutions in the Atlanta region.

Water- Use It Wisely (www.wateruseitwisely.com) is a program that educates consumers about specific and simple water conservation measures they can use everyday to help. It is a multi-state program that is being sponsored in the metro Atlanta area by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District in partnership with the Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division.

Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School is located in Dekalb County. For more information about the school or student, please call 678.875.0302.