Austin Road Middle Student Named County’s First State-Level Model Water Tower Competition Winner

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Austin Road Middle School eighth grader Elijah Atkins was named winner of the Georgia Model Water Tower Competition, held at the Water Tower Innovation Hub in Buford in April.

Atkins emerged as the winner from a field of 45 total entrants representing 11 utilities across the state, providing Henry County with its first win at the state level.

Each November, the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) invites Henry County Schools middle school students to submit their model water towers for a chance to win top prizes and qualify for the state competition. Entries must meet specifications, including use of recycled household materials and size, height, and functionality requirements.

“When my teacher told the class about the project, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of it,” Atkins said. “I began paying more attention to water towers and noticed they all seemed huge, clunky, and really ugly. So, I decided to blend my design with my love for nature. I’ve always loved tree houses and wanted my water tower to look like a tree house hidden among trees while also being functional and creative.”

Atkins is passionate about recycling and used tree bark, leftover wood from a construction project, and discarded items such as cardboard boxes, a bottle, a bucket, and takeout packaging to build his water tower.

He outperformed 19 students representing nine schools across the district to secure first place in the regional competition for his “Hidden Among the Trees” water tower.

First- and second-place winners in county-level events advance to the state competition, where judges evaluate submissions on structural and hydraulic efficiency and innovative design.

Atkins earned a $300 prize at the county level and $500 at the state competition, along with the opportunity to design the official T-shirt for the 2026 Georgia Model Water Tower Competition.

“It felt satisfying to win the county competition,” Atkins stated. “I felt confident because of the devotion and time I poured into the project. I was ecstatic when I found out I won at the state level. It felt surreal. Winning first prize and the trophy were awesome, but it also meant a lot to be able to bring that win back to Henry County and back to my school.”

While water tower competition participants explore and develop their creative abilities and critical thinking, they also learn engineering basics. Students are introduced to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts behind constructing and operating water towers and gain insight into water resource management and treatment.

Participants also develop interviewing and presentation skills as they prepare to describe their towers to judges who are professionals from the water industry.

Atkins’ enthusiasm for the project went beyond his passion for building and the outdoors, with science as his favorite subject and his active membership in his school’s STEM club. Additionally, he hopes to become a structural engineer or work in the water industry building water towers – an option inspired by his participation in the recent competitions.

“If you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you. I knew exactly how to execute the project and spent a lot of time researching ways to improve functionality,” Atkins added. “My love for construction and nature helped me to easily execute my vision for a water tower that would blend in with the trees.”

“Elijah deserves recognition for his outstanding performance in the model water tower competitions,” said Austin Road Middle eighth-grade physical science teacher Garynne Parks. “I am incredibly proud of his success, and it was truly a joy to work with him as his creativity, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm were evident throughout the process.”

Atkins’ achievement is one of several noteworthy STEM accomplishments across the district. In February, HCS hosted its inaugural robotics competition for elementary and middle school students, and Ola High School’s robotics team won top awards at the state and world championships this spring.

“We congratulate Elijah on his exceptional performance,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “Henry County Schools is making progress toward becoming a leader in providing STEM educational opportunities in the region. Board investments and innovative districtwide initiatives are igniting curiosity and passion and fueling exceptional student performance in STEM-related programs. We are thankful for partners like the Henry County Water Authority, who provide experiences that align with our vision and mission to provide exceptional opportunities that equip our students for success.”

The Model Water Tower Competition began in 2004 in Florida and expanded to other American Water Works Association chapters. HCWA hosted the first local competition in Georgia in 2012 and has played a significant role in its growth.

The Georgia Association of Water Professionals and the Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association began hosting the state-level Georgia Model Water Tower Competition in 2023.