Raleigh stormwater commission unveils Capture It contest winners and launches Stormwater Smart award

Graham Smith, chair of Raleigh's Stormwater Management Advisory Commission, announced the winners of the 2026 Capture It contest for grades 8 6, a student art and video competition focused on water quality and watershed protection. Smith said the contest drew the most entries the commission has received and that the gallery of submissions will be on display at Pullen Arts Center starting Thursday, May 14 and running through May and June.

In the artwork category, the commission recognized Lily Burnett and Reese Newman from North Raleigh Christian Academy for a multimedia piece titled "Choking the Blue." In the video category, Chloe Moy and Caitlin Granati were named for a tutorial about preventing pollution from entering storm drains; a third partner, Ben Bory, could not attend but his work was included. Smith said videos and student entries will be played at the event's end before the documentary screening.

The commission also presented its inaugural Stormwater Smart award to Alexandra Van Dorsten for leading stream cleanups, murals about storm drains and connecting students to watersheds while teaching at Explorers Middle School.

Smith noted monetary awards were distributed backstage and encouraged attendees to view student work at the Pullen Arts Center exhibit. The stormwater contest and teacher award were presented as part of the Earth Day program and were not linked to a new ordinance or regulatory action.