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Colony Oak 5th grader is top winner in SSJID vehicle wrap contest
SSJID logo only color final

South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s (SSJID) recent “The Power of Water: Growing Our Future” art contest celebrated the creativity and water conservation commitment of local students. 

Fifth grader Aubree B. from Ripon’s Colony Oak Elementary received the grand prize, while six other students were recognized. This is the second time in a row that Aubree has won. 

Aubree’s artwork will become an SSJID service truck vehicle wrap for the 2025 water season, helping promote water messaging to our communities. The design showcases water nurturing our region and growing the future.

 “Our trucks travel across our service area daily. They are ideal for sharing the powerful message of water in our community,” said General Manager Peter Rietkerk. “The Vehicle Wrap Art Contest is a wonderful way to engage our local youth in the critical role that water plays here.” 

SSJID’s annual Vehicle Wrap Art Contest deepens students’ understanding of water’s impact on surrounding farms, cities, and businesses. The contest was open to first-through-fifth-grade students in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon unified school districts. This year’s winners are as follows:

*Grand Prize: Audree B., Colony Oak Elementary, 5th Grade, Mr. Martin First through Third Grade

*First place: Joshnika C., Nile Garden Elementary, 1st Grade, Mrs. Camacho • Second place: Miya T. V., Great Valley Elementary, 2nd Grade, Ms. Sandoval

*Third place: Yatharth V., Joseph Widmer Elementary, 3rd Grade, Mr. Valles Fourth and Fifth Grade

*First place: Agam S. L., Shasta Elementary, 4th Grade, Ms. Owsley 

*Second place: Macy N., Colony Oak Elementary, 4th Grade, Mrs. Thomason

*Third place: Lasya P., Nile Garden Elementary, 5th Grade, Mrs. Morino

Winners will receive gift cards to recognize their creative efforts and dedication. Colony Oak Elementary School will also receive a $250 gift card to purchase art supplies for submitting the most entries.

 To learn more about the Vehicle Wrap Art Contest and view the winning artwork, visit www.ssjid.gov/education/vehicle-wrap-art-contest. 

SSJID 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. Learn more at www.ssjid.gov or follow SSJID on Facebook