During the recent Ripon Tree of Lights ceremony, Esmeralda Ponce Reyes had her artwork featured on the cover of the Hospice of San Joaquin program.

Along with her family, she was praised by those at Ripona Elementary School, including Principal Dante Alvarez and her third-grade teacher Laura Johnson.

Add the City of Ripon and the Ripon Unified School District to that list.

Reyes was honored by the school board for her efforts, in particular, winning the community art contest conducted each year by the Hospice of San Joaquin County. Local entries consisted of students from Ripon Elementary, Park View, Weston and Ripona.

Her work was prominently on display for all to see in the Dec. 4 holiday program of the Fourth annual Tree of Lights Ceremony at the Mistlin Fountain Park.

In addition, Reyes’ winning entry will be part of the Hospice of SJ greeting card collection.

Ripon is one of eight communities in SJ County featuring a Tree of Light – each light being dedicated or honoring a loved one.

Support for the Tree of Light program goes to the agency’s programs of nursing care and bereavement services for terminally ill patients and their families.