DEC Announces Winner of "Create a Watershed Superhero" Poster Contest

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) are pleased to announce the 2025 winner of the annual "Create a Watershed Superhero" poster contest for middle school students is Anna Tiudic from the SEEALL Academy of Brooklyn. Fourteen student artists were recognized as winners out of more than 700 submissions from 22 schools across New York State.

“The winner of the 2025 Create a Watershed Superhero poster contest reminds all New Yorkers of the everyday actions we can take to protect our watersheds and conserve water,” Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “DEC congratulates Anna Tiudic and all the student poster contest participants for their creative submissions and their burgeoning interest in environmental stewardship and protecting the state’s natural resources.”

The annual poster contest encourages middle school students to learn about their role in protecting watersheds and how to conserve and safeguard water resources, now and for future generations.

“NYWEA is proud to take part in this poster contest with the DEC every year, and even more proud of all of the Watershed Superheroes we now have because of the involvement of the students and teachers who participated this year,” NYWEA's Executive Director Khris Dodson said.

The winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA's 2026 annual calendar, with the top prize winner’s art featured on the cover. 

2025 Poster Contest Winners

Top Winner: Anna Tiudic: 8^th Grade, The SEEALL Academy – Brooklyn

Also Recognized:

• Ella Berlin: 6^th Grade, Ichabod Crane Central School – Valatie
• Alicja Bogusz: 8^th Grade, The SEEALL Academy – Brooklyn
• Silvia Chen: 8^th Grade, The SEEALL Academy – Brooklyn
• Achilles Chen: 8^th Grade, I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro – Brooklyn
• Yingshan Chen: 8^th Grade, I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro – Brooklyn
• Nicole Chernin: 7^th Grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School – Brookhaven
• Cindy Dragolli: 8^th Grade, The SEEALL Academy – Brooklyn
• Maisie Hebrank: 6^th Grade, The Park School of Buffalo – Amherst
• Raina Liang: 8^th Grade, I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro – Brooklyn
• Maria Talanquines: 6^th Grade, I.S. 61 Williams A. Morris – Staten Island
• Hannah Sullivan: 7^th Grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School – Brookhaven
• Winnie Wang: 8^th Grade, The SEEALL Academy – Brooklyn
• Kelly Wu: 8^th Grade, I.S. 281 Joseph B Cavallaro – Brooklyn

New York State teachers, schools, and clubs that wish to participate in the 2026 poster contest can visit DEC's website for more information.