Youth Award for Excellence and Leadership in Groundwater

About the Youth Award for Excellence and Leadership in Groundwater Award
In 1996, The Groundwater Foundation established an award in conjunction with its Groundwater University program. The award was created to recognize a Groundwater University participant for his/her outstanding leadership and creation of innovative groundwater protection projects. This award was endowed by W.C. Foxley and E.P. Taiganides and brought inspiration and recognition to deserving youth over the years. In 2004, The Groundwater Foundation expanded eligibility for the Youth Award for Excellence and Leadership in Groundwater to include any student, age 12-17, in the U.S. that gives time, energy, and knowledge to promote the protection of groundwater in his/her community. In addition, the student’s actions will have the ability to be replicated by other students and the potential to empower the community to protect groundwater.

Past Award Recipients
2004: The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) 2003-2004 Student Advisory Council, Las Vegas, Nevada  
The goal of the SNWA Youth Advisory Council is to provide a forum in which the SNWA can receive input from the youth of Clark County on water issues pertinent to the community. The 2003-2004 Youth Advisory Council focused on new home development and created a concept for a “water smart” home. The students partnered with Pulte Homes to create a model home in a residential community development showcasing water conservation through water smart landscaping and efficient indoor features. The water smart model home was opened to the public in February, 2004. The Youth Advisory Council created and displayed signage throughout the home showcasing the home’s water saving features and was on hand to greet visitors and give tours. The Council also created a handout describing the home’s indoor water-saving features, as well as identifying the desert plants used in the landscape. Based on their experience, the Youth Advisory Council recommended the SNWA implement a community-wide “Water Smart Home” or “Water Smart Neighborhood” program, extending the water smart home concept throughout the Southern Nevada community. The students recommended a water drop recognition symbol or logo be used to identify a water smart home, similar to the “Energy Star” concept. The council also recommended that the program include incentives for builders to make their communities and homes eligible for the water smart designation.

2005: No award given

2006: Jami Harper, Grand Island, Nebraska
For over 10 years, Jami has been involved with water protection activities. She began by volunteering at the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival as a classroom assistant providing support for presenters and students participating in Festival activities. Jami also served as a class guide leading teachers, students, and parents, to their scheduled activities. In 2004, Jami became a Festival activity presenter. She created the activity H2OWood Squares—an interactive educational game based on the popular television game show Hollywood Squares. Jami wrote the questions, designed the set, and recruited high school students throughout the region to serve as the “celebrities” and game show host. Jami also went on to develop an interactive exhibit teaching water principles. With a contribution from Volvo, Jami established two $5,000 endowments. The first endowment was to the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival committee to provide grants for youth to present Festival activities. The second endowment is a scholarship fund to assist with college expenses for high school seniors involved in water protection activities. In addition, to her efforts on behalf of the Festival, Jami designed a full-color water protection brochure distributed to students and adults from across the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. She also designed and oversees the Water Wizard website, featuring daily questions and answers about water protection.

2007: No award given