By KATIE PATTERSON
For the Bulletin
A Ripon fourth grader’s art work promoting water conservation will grace South San Joaquin Irrigation District trucks.
It was the grand prize winner among 150 plus submissions, in the SSJID’s “Watering the Roots of Our Community” art contest showcasing local students’ commitment to water conservation.
Aubree Betschart, a fourth grader in Mr. Hofman’s class at Colony Oak Elementary School, took the grand prize.
Aubree’s artwork will be turned into a vehicle wrap for SSJID service truck tailgates.
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.
“Our trucks are seen everywhere in our service area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” General Manager Peter Rietkerk said.
“The Vehicle Wrap Art Contest promotes the critical role water plays here in San Joaquin County and reminds the community how this resource supports the roots of our lives.”
SSJID’s annual Vehicle Wrap Art Contest allows students to learn more about the importance of water and how precious it is to surrounding farms, cities and businesses.
The contest was open to first- through fifth-grade students in Manteca, Ripon and Escalon unified school districts.
In addition to a grand prize winner, District staff voted for six more contest winners. In addition to the grand prize, this year’s winners are:
First through Third Grade
• First place: Layla M., Colony Oak Elementary School, Second Grade, Ms. Rigg
* Second place: Macy N., Colony Oak Elementary School, Third Grade, Mrs. Hoag
• Third place: Vivienne V., Colony Oak Elementary School, Third Grade, Mrs. Hoag
Fourth and Fifth Grade
• First place: Ava S., Ripon Elementary School, Fourth Grade, Ms. Vargas
• Second place: Jasmine F., Ripon Elementary School, Fifth Grade, Mrs. Stevenson
• Third place: Samuel M., Ripon Elementary School, Fifth Grade, Mrs. Stevenson
Winners received gift cards in recognition of their creativity and hard work.
Colony Oak Elementary School, which submitted the most entries, received a $250 gift card to purchase art supplies for its students.
To learn more about the Vehicle Wrap Art Contest and view the winning artwork, visit www.ssjid.com/education/vehicle-wrap-art-contest.
South San Joaquin Irrigation District was established in 1909 and is headquartered in Manteca.
SSJID provides agricultural irrigation water to over 50,000 acres surrounding Escalon, Ripon and Manteca, and wholesale drinking water to over 215,000 residents in Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, and in the future, Escalon.
SSJID, along with Oakdale Irrigation District, owns and operates the Tri-Dam Project, a series of storage reservoirs and electric generation facilities that produce zero-carbon hydropower in the Stanislaus River watershed
