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2003-02-10

"OUTDOOR WATERING CONSERVATION - THE NEXT STEP”

ORBIT IRRIGATION PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES ESSAY CONTEST

Winner To Receive $5,000 Scholarship

 North Salt Lake City, Utah – February 10, 2002 – Orbit® Irrigation Products, Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation products for the residential and commercial markets today announced an essay contest, “Outdoor Watering Conservation – The Next Step.”  The contest is for 11^th and 12^th grade high school students in California and Utah.  The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship to the college/university of their choice.

“Everyone knows we need water to live – but it is a limited resource,” explains Orbit CEO, K.C. Ericksen.  “California and Utah both have major challenges with water, since our states are for the most part – desert.  Delivering water costs millions of dollars and the cost is increasing.   Add the continuing drought across much of the U.S. with those issues, and we thought it was timely to hold an essay contest to draw attention to the need to conserve water.”

The title of the contest is, “Outdoor Watering Conservation – The Next Step.”  Eleventh and 12^th grade students in California and Utah are invited to write an original paper on the topic, focusing on water conservation issues for home and public irrigation.

“Our company slogan, "Conservation through Innovation," signifies Orbit"s commitment to developing innovative products that manage water,” said Russ Messerly, Orbit Marketing Director.  “The essay contest was derived from our desire to bring attention to the need for water conservation.  We believe this will be a worthwhile project for high school students.  It could be used as a class assignment, or simply as a way for individual students to have a chance at the grand prize – a $5,000 scholarship.”

Contest information

The essay is limited to a maximum of 750 words and must be typed, double-spaced.   The contest runs February 10, 2003 – March 30, 2003.  Essays and entry forms are due no later than 5 p.m. MST on March 30, 2003.  Complete contest rules and entry forms are available at www.orbitonline.com.

 There are four ways for students to enter: 

1. Go online to www.orbitonline.com and follow the directions there, or
2. Pick up an entry form at participating Home Depot stores, or
3. Pick up an application from your high school counselor, or
4. Mail the essay and a letter with the student’s name, age, grade, e-mail address, mailing address, the words Orbit Essay Contest, student signature and if under age 18, a parent or legal guardian signature to:  Orbit Essay Contest, 102 West, 500 South, Suite #410, Salt Lake City, UT  84101.

 About Orbit

Orbit Irrigation Products is the market share leader in the retail do-it-yourself irrigation business.  Orbit manufactures and distributes more than 1,500 quality lawn and garden irrigation products to customers worldwide under the sub-brand names Orbit Professional®, WaterMaster®, DripMaster®, SunMate® and Arizona Mist®.  Orbit products can be purchased both domestically and internationally at most contractor supply houses, home improvement stores, and lawn and garden centers.  For more information go to www.orbitonline.com or call 1-800-488-6156.