press release

HILLTOP HIGH STUDENT WINS ONE OF SEVEN $1000 SCHOLARSHIPS

Hilltop High School senior Emily Anne Cox was chosen from eighteen local finalists to receive one of seven $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the California Special Districts Association, the Council of Water Utilities, and the Water Agencies Association of San Diego County. Each of the finalists was nominated by an association member agency after competing locally.

The regional competition is held annually to help students learn more about the importance of special districts. Although special districts, such as water and fire districts, are many communities' most local form of government, few people understand how they work. The regional winners and their nominating agencies are:

Janna Jamil Helix Water District

Ashwin Krishnan Olivenhain Metropolitan Water District (MWD)

Joseph W. Wellhouse Riverview Water District

Maria Marcelo Otay Water District

Jeremy J. Johnson Valley Center MWD, Fallbrook Public Utilities District,

Pauma Valley Community Svcs. District (CSD), and

Valley Center CSD

V. Jade Shiller Leucadia County Water District

Emily Cox Sweetwater Authority

The seven winners were chosen based on grade point average, school activities, participation in the community, and a brief paper each student wrote on special districts. Ms. Cox wrote, "special districts . . . are responsive to their community's needs, use tax dollars wisely, and operate in the best interests of those they serve without regard to their personal interests . . ."

CSDA, a statewide organization with the primary function of analyzing legislative issues, was formed in 1970 and now represents 540 agencies throughout California. The Water Agencies Association and the Council of Water utilities are local associations of water utilities that meet for educational purposes.