Cabarrus Today

The City of Concord has announced the winners of its annual Stormwater Art Contest, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about stormwater pollution and promoting clean local waterways. The event took place at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, where eight students were recognized for their creative contributions.

During the awards ceremony, the city's mascot, Drippy, assisted in announcing the top three winners from each school category: elementary, middle, and high school. Participants received prize bags with art supplies, while winners also received gift cards.

In the high school category, Vikram Thakral from Cox Mill High School secured first place. Asritha Jagarlamundi from Cabarrus Early College of Technology took second place. For middle schools, Diyah Kamesh from Harris Road Middle School won first place; Sakana Venkatesh from J.N. Fries Middle School was second; and Aashna Tandon from Harris Road Middle School came third. In the elementary category, Andrian Paththamperum from Carl A. Furr Elementary School achieved first place; Luke Oh from Weddington Hills Elementary was second; and Chaarvi Borra from W.R. Odell Elementary placed third.

The contest saw 25 submissions from students across 15 schools and included entries by two homeschool students. Judging criteria focused on creativity, message clarity regarding stormwater pollution, artistic merit, and overall impression.

Vikram Thakral emerged as the overall winner with his detailed artwork that might be featured on a city storm drain. "The Stormwater Art Contest gave me the opportunity to combine my creativity with an important message on environmental awareness," he said.

Students in grades K-12 were encouraged to participate and provided educational materials about stormwater pollution as part of this program that integrates art with science education.

A fifth-grade participant remarked on the importance of clean water: “Keeping clean water is one of the most important things for our lives... If we all clean up areas around us by picking up trash, the stream will stay clean.”

The winning artworks are displayed at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios during open gallery hours and can also be viewed online at concordnc.gov/stormwaterartcontest.