The artwork of a fourth-grade student at an elementary school in San Joaquin County was turned into a vehicle wrap this month for the South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s service truck tailgates.

More than 150 students turned in submissions for the art contest called, “Watering the Roots of Our Community” that depicted students’ commitment to water conservation.

Aubree B., a student from at Colony Oak Elementary School in Ripon, took the overall prize, according to the South San Joaquin Irrigation District, a water utility company in Manteca.

“The creative piece, a colorful depiction of farmland, mountains and canals, will decorate the trucks through October, spreading the message of water throughout the region,” said the water utility company.

Winners of the contest received gift cards for the work and due to Colony Oak Elementary School having the most submissions they received a $250 gift card to purchase art supplies.

The contest was open to first- through fifth-grade students in Manteca, Ripon and Escalon unified school districts.

First through third place winners of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s student art contest appear in a screenshot from the district’s website. (Screenshot via SSJID.gov)

Other winners of the contest, decided by district staff, included Layla M. in first place, Macy N. in second place, and third place went to Vivienne V. in the first-through-third grade division.

In the fourth-and-fifth grade contest, first place was given to Ava S., second place was Jasmine F., and Samuel M. came in third place.

SSJID General Manager Peter Rietkerk said in a statement that their trucks are seen everywhere in their service area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that the contest showcases the critical role water plays in the county.

Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.