Eligible students can participate by completing and submitting the official contest entry form on the Oro Loma Sanitary District's webpage (see below). Submissions will be accepted from March 1, 2026 through April 1, 2026. Entries must be received by 11:59 PM on April 1 to be considered. 

Students must be in grades K-12 and attend a school within the Oro Loma Sanitary District that is serviced by Waste Management, or be homeschooled within that district.

This year's theme is "Love Our Bay." Students are asked to show or tell what they do to help keep the Bay clean. Entries should share accurate information in a creative way that inspires others to protect our local environment. Submissions may include ideas such as properly sorting waste, practicing the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot), recycling at home or school, properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease (FOG), and knowing what should/should not go down the toilet, sink, or drain. Projects should teach others something important in a creative way and must be relevant to the services offered by the Oro Loma Sanitary District.

The top three (3) entries will be selected in each category for every grade level. A $350 award will be presented to each winning student. Awards will be issued directly to the winning student. Awards will not be issued to a parent or guardian on behalf of a minor. 

The District believes every student's contribution to protecting our Bay is equally valuable. Offering the same award amount promotes fairness, encourages participation across all age groups, and keeps the program simple, transparent, and fiscally responsible.

Winning entries may be featured on District platforms, including but not limited to: the District website, social media channels, newsletters, and public presentations. By participating, students and their parents/guardians acknowledge that winning entries may be used by the District for educational and public outreach purposes related to its services.

"Heart for the Bay" Presented by the Oro Loma Sanitary District

1. Contest Title. Heart for the Bay. This student art and video showcase is presented by the Oro Loma Sanitary District ("District").
2. Who Can Enter. The contest is open to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must attend a school located within the Oro Loma Sanitary District that is serviced by Waste Management ("WM").
3. Contest Theme. "Love Our Bay." Show or tell us what you do at home to help keep the Bay clean. Your project must clearly explain a factual and helpful way to protect our Bay. Projects should teach others something important in a creative way and must be relevant to the services offered by the Oro Loma Sanitary District.
4. Entry Categories. Art: drawing, painting, or collage (maximum size: 11" x 17") or 3-D artwork (maximum size: 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft). A clear photo of the artwork must be submitted electronically. Video: video, reel, or short (maximum length: 60 seconds).
5. How to Enter. All entries must be submitted electronically through the District's official webpage. Each submission must include the student's full name, school name, grade level, parent/guardian email address, and parent/guardian phone number. This information will only be used to contact award winners.
6. Entry Limits. Each student may submit only one entry. Students may enter only one category (Art or Video). No group entries allowed.
7. Original Work Requirement. All entries must be the original work of the student; include accurate and factual information; be created primarily by the student. Adults may give advice, but they may not create or heavily edit the project. The following are not allowed: profanity or inappropriate language; inappropriate images or content; trademarked or copyrighted characters (such as cartoon or movie characters); artificial intelligence (AI) generated artwork or video. Any entry that does not follow these rules may be disqualified.
8. Judging Criteria. Entries will be judged separately by grade level and category. Judging will be based on: (1) Accuracy of information - Is the message correct and clear? (2) Creativity - Is the idea original and interesting? (3) Artistic expression - Is the submission well presented and thoughtfully created? All decisions by the judges are final. 
9. Awards. The top three (3) entries will be selected in each category for every grade level. $350 awards will be presented to the winning student.
10. School Participation Awards. Schools are eligible to receive $500 for the first 1-10 student entries submitted. An additional $500 will be awarded for 11-20 entries, another $500 for 21-30 entries, and a final $500 for 31-40 entries, for a maximum of $2,000 per school. Participation awards are limited to qualifying schools within the District's service area that are serviced by WM.
11. Contest Timeline. Submissions are open from March 1, 2026 to April 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
12. Use of Entries. By submitting an entry, students and their parents/guardians agree that the Oro Loma Sanitary District may display publish, or share the artwork or video. The District may use entries for education, outreach, or promotional purposes. The student's first name, grade, and school may be publicly announced if selected as a winner. Students will keep ownership of their original work.
13. General Conditions. The District reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not follow the rules. The District may adjust contest dates if necessary. Participation in this contest means you agree to all Official Rules.