Olympia unveils 2027 Water Resources calendar featuring student artwork 

The Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for using their creativity to promote stormwater pollution prevention in the 2027 Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar

The recognition on Tuesday, Oct. 27, also marked the eighth annual Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar contest.  

Cameron Coronado, Senior Program Specialist with Public Works Environmental Services, told the city council that stormwater pollution prevention emerged as a prominent theme among submissions for the 2027 calendar.  

He said the contest gives students an opportunity to learn about protecting local water resources through art, learn about stormwater pollution, and share what they learn with the community.

The educational focus also aligns with ongoing stormwater education efforts, including Stormwater Middle School Week, which is held annually in spring.

“It helps bring awareness to stormwater pollution prevention and water conservation practices in a fun and creative way that engages our youth,” said Coronado of the initiative, which was organized by the Olympia Public Works Department through its Water Resources and Drinking Water divisions.  

In 2026, the city reached a milestone by visiting every sixth grade classroom in Olympia and engaging nearly 700 students in the program, Coronado said.  

The selected artworks highlight everyday actions residents can take to protect local waterways. Topics include keeping pet waste out of storm drains, using commercial car washes, fixing vehicle leaks, practicing bee-friendly yard care, and clearing leaves and debris from storm drains.  

The calendar also emphasizes the message, “Only rain down the storm drain,” to remind residents that stormwater systems play an important role in protecting the environment.  

Coronado also briefly discussed the city’s Adopt-a-Drain program that encourages residents to clear nearby storm drains of leaves, trash and other debris. Participants can name the drains that they adopt.  

“We adopted the one in front of (Olympia) City Hall,” said Coronado, adding staff named the drain “Gandalf the Great,” with the slogan “Pollution shall not pass.” 

The city selected 13 student artworks for the 2027 calendar, with four students receiving honorable mentions. Olympia recognized the following artists: 

• Elliot Taylor, Reeves MS
• Julianna Hall, Washington MS 
• Helen Smith, Reeves MS
• Tealia Bagley, Reeves MS
• Camila Herrera, Reeves MS
• Louisa Penrod, Washington MS (two entries)
• Hayley Bartholet, Reeves MS
• AnnaSophia Peth, Reeves MS
• Rowan Thompson, Reeves MS
• Elliott Becker, Washington MS
• Aurora Shock, Reeves MS
• Veronica Cho, Reeves MS
• Mateo Montano, Reeves MS
• Alanna M, Reeves MS
• Vera Poley, Reeves MS
• Federick Mahoney, Reeves MS

The city plans to distribute calendars to selected artists and their families, Olympia middle schools, and city hall. Copies are also available in the city hall lobby.