OAK PARK, Calif. - s4story -- Artwork by 13-year-old Micah Aliling, currently an 8th grader at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, was selected by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to appear in its printed 2026 calendar and digital library.

MWD delivers 1.5 billion gallons of water daily to 19 million people in Southern California. Earlier this year, it invited students across its six-county service area, including those in the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District (https://www.triunfowsd.com/) (TWSD), to submit water conservation-themed artwork for its "Being Water Wise Is…"  Student Art Calendar Contest. This marks the fourth consecutive year that a student from Oak Park has had their artwork featured in the calendar.

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Micah and her family attended the TWSD October 27 board meeting, where TWSD board chair Leon Shapiro presented her with a certificate of recognition and a $100 gift card.

"The drawing I made represents that water is the lifeline of our planet," says Micah. "The Earth at the center of my drawing symbolizes how every drop counts—whether it's filling a bucket, sustaining plants, or giving life to fish in the water. The phrase 'Save Water, Save Life' means that conserving water protects all living things on Earth. When we use water wisely, we can ensure a cleaner, brighter, and healthier future."

Micah and her family are invited to a special event at Metropolitan's HQ in Los Angeles in December, where all the winning artists will be recognized.

The TWSD contest was open to youth living in Oak Park in three grade-level divisions: elementary (K-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12). All TWSD entries were submitted to MWD for consideration. Each year, MWD receives nearly 300 artwork submissions from more than 30 Southern California agencies. Only 36 are selected for the calendar.

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"So many of our Oak Park students understand the importance of water conservation for the well-being of people and the planet," says TWSD Board Chair Shapiro. "It's a testament to our Oak Park teachers and parents."

All 20 Oak Park–area students who submitted entries received certificates of recognition from TWSD and from Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell, as well as a gift card. Many of the young artists attended the October 27 meeting.

Local submissions came from students in Brookside Elementary School, Medea Creek Middle School, Oak Hills Elementary School, Oak Park High School, Red Oak Elementary School and private school, Revo Academy.