The South Plains Underground Water Conservation District is sponsoring the annual essay contest for senior students at Brownfield, Meadow, and Wellman-Union high schools. All senior students are eligible to enter the essay contest. First-place contest winners from each school will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and second-place winners will receive a $500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice. If limited applications are accepted from one school, additional places or funds may be awarded to other campuses. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the university/college upon confirmation of class enrollment (not to the individual student). Scholarships will be awarded contingent upon receipt of qualified submissions based on the criteria outlined below as determined by the scholarship committee.
2025 Essay Prompt:
According to recent data, Texas’s population is expected to grow from 30 million to 52 million by 2070, which will increase water demand. At the same time, the state’s water supply is projected to decline due to drought conditions and aging water infrastructure. In what ways does your local groundwater district contribute toward protecting and preserving our most valuable resource – water? How can water conservation at the local and state level help alleviate increasing water supply needs? What can individuals, such as yourself, do to help alleviate the pressure of increasing water demand?
The criteria for the contest is: READ CAREFULLY!!!
- The essay must have a minimum of 500 words and maximum of 650 words.
- The essay must be typed and double-spaced in MLA format.
- The essay must have a cover sheet containing the following: student’s name, mailing address, phone number, essay title, name of local high school, and date.
- References must accompany paper in the form of a works cited page.
- Essays MUST BE submitted electronically via email to savegroundwater@gmail.com. A reply receipt will be sent to the applicant noting their submission was received.
- Electronic submissions are due no later than Friday, April 11, 2025 (11:59pm).
Hardcopy submissions MAY BE delivered by hand or mailed directly to the SPUWCD at 802 Tahoka Rd., Brownfield, TX 79316. All electronic submissions must be received by SOCOP at the email address in criteria #5 by 11:59pm Friday, April 11, 2025 (11:59pm).
Recipients will be notified individually if awarded a scholarship. Presentations will be made during local high school awards assemblies and/or in accordance with school guidelines.
For further information, don’t hesitate to contact the education coordinator at (806)891-0993 or email savegroundwater@gmail.com.
