The City of Grand Rapids Water System hosts an annual Imagine a Day Without Water Writing Contest. The contest is an opportunity for young people (3rd-12th grade students) to share why water is important to them and their community.
This competition is made possible by the generous support of our contest sponsor:

Students use the following theme to write any writing style (short essay, poetry, etc.).
Write a story or a news article that captures the journey of Michigan's water-from the time the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act was first enacted in 1974 to the present day.
How have technology and people worked together to protect this vital resource? What challenges were faced along the way? And most importantly, what does the future hold for Michigan's water?
All entries are limited to 250 words.
Online
To enter, complete and submit the online form and attach your entry.
Online Form
Email & Mail
To enter via email or mail, download the entry form, attach your entry and send it to us via:
Mail to: Imagine a Day Without Water
1900 Oak Industrial Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
or
Email to: adaywithoutwater@grcity.us
Download Entry Form(PDF, 106KB)
Thank you to the 100+ students that participated in the 2024 Imagine a Day Without Water Writing Contest!
Here are the winners:
1st Place
Grade |
Name |
School |
3rd grade |
Brooke Azuela |
Lakes Elementary
|
11th grade |
Alea Fitzpatrick |
Union High School
|
7th grade |
Isla McKendrick |
Grace Christian Academy
|
6th grade |
Blythe Leo |
Center for Economicology
|
6th grade |
Aide Sanchez |
Center for Economicology
|
2nd Place
Grade |
Name |
School |
12th grade |
Olivia Gaudet |
CA Frost Environmental Science Middle/High School |
7th grade |
Violet Gruswitz |
Grace Academy Academy |
6th grade |
Rye Baxter |
Center for Economicology |
6th grade |
Bailey Kraus |
Center for Economicology |
6th grade |
Connie Nolasco |
Center for Economicology |
3rd Place
Grade |
Name |
School |
6th grade |
Kai Feenstra
|
Homeschool |
6th grade |
Monica Hodges
|
Center of Economicology
|
6th grade |
Adalyn Lake
|
Center of Economicology |
6th grade |
Isabel Camarillo
|
Center of Economicology |
6th grade |
Aubrey Harmon
|
Center of Economicology |