Scholarships
| Each year, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, in collaboration with our permittees, offers scholarships for 2 different age groups. Note: 2021 Aquatic Science Summer Camp District Scholarships are postponed until further notice. Thank you for your understanding. |
2021 Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship Groundwater Essay Contest
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
New Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Each year essays are scored by an independent judging panel, and the highest-scoring authors are selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college, community college, or training institution of their choice.
Essays must generally discuss groundwater issues, which may include but are not limited to:
- non-point source pollution
- pollution prevention
- water conservation
- hydrogeology
While essays must focus on groundwater issues, applicants do not have to be planning a career path in a water-related field.
The essay contest is open to high school juniors, seniors, and immediate graduates. Students must reside in one of the eight school districts overlapping the District boundary. These eight independent school districts are: Austin, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Hays Consolidated, Lockhart, San Marcos Consolidated, and Wimberley.
2021 Groundwater Essay Contest Application Form and Rules (pdf)
The District’s college scholarship is dedicated as a memorial scholarship honoring one of Austin’s most influential environmental planners, Kent Butler. Dr. Butler specialized in bringing science and policy together. He encouraged open conversation, collaboration, and participation from all perspectives. The Kent S. Butler Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship Essay Contest increases the awareness of groundwater issues by rewarding high school students for high quality research and writing. The $2,500 scholarship can be applied toward tuition for any college, community college, or training institution. A panel of independent judges reviews all essays and score them based on content, accuracy of information, originality, grammar, quality of research, and style. The judges represent a cross-section of skills and expertise.
Congratulations to our 2020 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank the City of Austin, Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Goforth SUD, and Cook-Walden: Forest Oaks for supporting this year’s scholarship program. It would not be such a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarships:
- Arushi Harkawat, Liberal Arts & Science Academy
- Read the winning essay titled “Impact of Distance from Water on Cardinals in St. Edwards Park“
- Aliaa Helal, Liberal Arts & Science Academy
- Read the winning essay titled “The Effect of Earthquakes on Groundwater“
- Alexandra Lopez, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
- Read the winning essay titled “The Crisis of Nitrate Fertilizer in Groundwater“
Meadows Center Annual Pass Winners
(Alternative Prize to Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships):
- Devon Welsh, Wallace Middle School
- Elizabeth Crunk, Mills Elementary
- Evan Estrada, Navarro Elementary
- William Khazen, AHB Community School
- Chloe Welsh, Wallace Middle School
- Jaden Kimball, Lockhart Jr. High
- Brielle Dziadik-Willingham, Lockhart Jr. High
Congratulations to our 2019 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank the City of Austin, Texas Lehigh Cement Company, Centex, Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Goforth SUD, and Slaughter Creek Acres WSC for supporting the scholarship program. It would not be such a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarships:
- Ian McIntosh, Liberal Arts & Science Academy
- Read the winning essay titled “The Impact of Water on the Arthropods of Bull Creek“
- Emma Cook, Hays High School
- Read the winning essay titled “Expanding the Clean Water Act to Better Protect Groundwater Resources“
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Chris Allred, Kyle Elementary
- Ivy Baker, O’Henry Middle School
- Mikayla Ann Berg, Buda Elementary
- Elena Castro, Fuentes Elementary
- Indie Cleveland, Tobias Elementary
- Leora Mae Creel, Homeschool
- Pablo Del Reigo, Mathews Elementary
- Juliet Fahnert, Austin Discovery School
- Davia-Astrid Henschel, O’Henry Middle School
- Keegan Holland, Barton Hills Elementary
- Jamie Jarratt, O’Henry Middle School
- Ayden Jenray, Carpenter Hill Elementary
- Penelope Johnson, Austin Discovery School
- Nadia Martinez, Carpenter Hill Elementary
- Viviana Martinez, Carpenter Hill Elementary
- Lily McGlothlin, Mendez Elementary
- Piper Norfolk, Austin Discovery School
- Sydney Piper, Lamar Middle School
- Emma Sanchez, San Marcos Academy
- Joseph Williams, Stephen F. Austin
Congratulations to our 2018 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Dennis Dorsett Ditching, Goforth SUD, and Texas Lehigh Cement Company for supporting the scholarship program. It would not be such a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship:
- Elizabeth Beggs, Dripping Springs High School
- Read the winning essay titled “Protect the Future“
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Lily Butler, Carpenter Hill Elementary
- Lucas Goodman, Mjolnir Academy
- Forest Goodman, Mjolnir Academy
- Owen Mielke, Rawson Saunders School
- Julia Rennels, Danforth Jr High
- Riley Fall, Dahlstrom Middle School
- Quinn Sprute-Saunders, Jacob’s Well Elementary
- Caleb Lowary, Mills Elementary
- Taylor Holzman, Dahlstrom Middle School
- Slade Holzman, Carpenter Hill Elementary
- Charlotte Hill, Gorzycki Middle School
- Genevieve Hill, Gorzycki Middle School
- Natalee Scholl, Sycamore Springs Middle School
- Stella Seligson, O. Henry Middle School
- Sophia Thurman, Buda Elementary
- Serenity Rincon, Dahlstrom Middle School
- Piper Camarillo, Barton Hills Elementary
- Elianna Agobe, San Marcos Adventist Academy
Congratulations to our 2017 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank Centex Materials, Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Texas Lehigh Cement Company, Goforth SUD, and Oak Forest for donating all or a portion of their 2016 Conservation Credits to the scholarship fund. The scholarship program would not be a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship:
- Raden Bowerman, West Lake High School
- Read the winning essay titled “It Ain’t Easy Being Green“
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Kaitlyn Wendt, Negley Elementary
- Megan LaRochelle, Rooster Springs Elementary
- Kennon Alvarado, UT Elementary
- Casey Alvarado, UT Elementary
- Lakota Patterson, Austin Classical Academy
- Jasmine Morgan, Dahlstrom Middle School
- Matthew Pasemann, Pace Academy
- Sofia Diorio, Clayton Elementary
- Hunter Halenza, Barton Middle School
- Kyler Halenza, Pfluger Elementary School
- Mia Abigail Smith, Austin Discovery School
- Stephen Gatej, Mills Elementary
- Jake Seale, Small Middle School
Congratulations to our 2016 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank Centex Materials, Creedmoor Water Supply and Texas Lehigh Cement Company for donating a portion of their 2015 Conservation Credits to the 2016 scholarship fund. The scholarship program would not be a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship:
- Eliza Cain, Liberal Arts and Science Academy
- Read the winning essay titled “Past Present and Future of Texas Groundwater Law.”
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Jacob Meredith, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Liam Prude, Eden Park Academy
- Eliot Reynolds, Clint Small Elementary
- Ethen Jensen, Paredes Middle School
- Audrey Majors, Jacob’s Well Elementary
- Ella Pettiette, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Emma Pettiette, Barton Middle School
Congratulations to our 2015 Scholarship Winners!
The District would like to thank Centex Materials, Creedmoor Water Supply, Texas Lehigh Cement Company, City of Hays – Elliott Ranch, and Goforth Special Utility District for donating a portion of their 2014 Conservation Credits to the 2015 scholarship fund. The scholarship program would not be a success without these generous donations! Thank you!!!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship:
- Julia Claire Pitre, McCallum High School
- Read the winning essay titled “Time for a Change in Texas: Groundwater Law and Its Shortcomings”
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Kelly Monashan, UT Elementary
- Bernardo Uriarte Pedraza, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Krystal Cortez, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Caitlin Koenig, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Kyler Monashan, Discovery School
- Isis Rivera, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Miriam Larson, Ralph Pfluger Elememntary
- Jacob Crosby, Negley Elementary
- Nolan Arellano, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Leonardo “Leo” Sanchez, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Olivia Capochiaro, Lamar Middle School
- Nikki Davern, Science Hall Elementary
- Ramsey Calvino, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Saraya Manning, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
- Samantha Ruthven, Mills Elementary
- Trinity Ann Alford McCray, Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary
- Tyler Hensley, Gorzycki Middle School
- Victor Valdez, Ralph Pfluger Elementary
Congratulations to the 2014 Scholarship Winners!
Kent S. Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship:
- Jenna Trejo, Bowie High School
- Winning essay titled “Kubla Khan: Protecting Our Groundwater One Drop At A Time”
Aquatic Science Adventure Camp Scholarships:
- Somaya Jimenez-Haham, Austin Discovery School
- Skylar Koenig, Pfluger Elementary
- Katelyn Alren, Pfluger Elementary
- Savannah Kelsey, Pfluger Elementary
- Griffin Rans, Mills Elementary
- Kaitlyn Manire, Gorzycki Middle School
- Megan Morris, Pfluger Elementary
- Sarai Diaz, Pfluger Elementary
- McKenzi Pritchard, Pfluger Elementary