Join us in congratulating Tanay, Karolina, and Brandon, winners of this year's EPA contest on water! Each contestant was asked to answer, "Why is water important in your community?" -or- "Why would you consider a career in water?" Find their creative answers below!

Tanay, 16, Poem

Song of the Huron: A Promise for Pure Waters
Where the Huron gently meanders through Michigan's lush lands,
A story unfolds, borne upon the waters as they expand.
Ann Arbor, nestled by the vast Great Lakes' reach,
Finds lifeblood in these waters, with lessons they teach.

This vibrant community, thriving with diverse life,
Depends on the river's bounty, essential for health in its rife.
Yet beneath the serene surface, a legacy of shadows persists,
Echoes of industrial toxins, challenges in our midst.

PFOS, a stealthy relic from our industrial boom,
Hides below the surface, a harbinger of doom.
A symbol of progress now turned into a plight,
Urging us to safeguard the water, to fight the good fight.

Lead, sneaking through our waterways, a silent threat from old pipes,
An invisible foe, delivering its toxic stripes.
It seeps into homes, a hidden danger to all,
Tainting our essential water, awaiting our call.

Warnings along the Huron reflect a cautious tale,
"Be wary," they advise, where pollutants prevail.
The fish were once consumed now carry signs of caution,
A reminder of the past deeds and their lasting repercussions.

From these trials, Ann Arbor's commitment grows,
Forged from the river's challenges, as the community knows.
Not just victims of toxicity or passive onlookers in fright,
But active protectors, champions of the river's right.

The EPA sets guidelines, limits we aim to meet,
Seventy parts per trillion, a standard to defeat.
Yet our city strives for more than mere compliance,
Pursuing the utmost in water purity, a community alliance.

Ann Arbor responds with technology, research, and resolve,
A united front to ensure water quality problems we solve.
Determined to ensure our waters are pristine,
Upholding a commitment to a safety routine.

Our rivers and lakes, more than natural resources,
Are vital arteries to our community, running their courses.
They nourish, cleanse, and support our wellbeing,
In every drop, a story of purity, not just seeing but feeling.

Imagine our children by the water's safe shore,
Where health isn't compromised, but cherished evermore.
Where they can splash and play without a care,
In waters clean and healthy, wonderfully rare.

This is our pledge, a duty embraced with vigor,
For every stream, every river, with enthusiasm bigger.
From local efforts to broader policy advocacy,
Ensuring our waters are safe, supporting health actively.

Listen to the Huron’s call, persistent and true,
Echoing through Michigan, clear and anew.
A call to protect, to cherish, and to renew,
In Ann Arbor, our waters, forever pure, a promise to pursue.

Karolina, 16, Poem

Water is so important, it's something we can't live without,
So why not take up a career in it?
Let your imagination sprout

Work with water, ensuring its flow,
From treatment plants to coastlines,
With your skills, you can help them grow

You could be an electrician, working with circuits all the time,
Maintaining equipment and machinery,
Following the technical designs

Or a hydrologist, studying rivers and streams,
Understanding how they flow,
And helping to fulfill our needs

A marine biologist, diving down deep,
Discovering new animals and plants,
That you never knew were right beneath your feet

Maybe working with wastewater, treating what we leave behind,
Cleaning our water for reuse,
And ensuring people peace of mind

With a career in water, possibilities are vast,
You would make a difference for our planet every day,
And ensure that our water is here to last

Brandon, 19, Video