Lake County, Ohio – Laketran is proud to announce the winners of their 2026 Design a Bus Wrap Art Contest. Ava Passalacqua, a sophomore at, Riverside High School, won first prize for her design entry themed, “We the People.”

As the top winner, Passalacqua’s design will be displayed on one of Laketran’s propane powered Dial-a-Ride buses for one year. Avery Dennison is donating the vinyl material used to wrap the vehicle.

The contest was open to middle school and high school from Lake County or students enrolled in a Lake County school or homeschooled during the 2025-2026 school year. The theme for this year’s contest is America 250 in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Students were encouraged to create designs reflecting how Lake County and Ohio have contributed to the history of America

A panel consisting of transit employees, graphic art professionals, and community leaders served as judges for the contest.

The full list of winners is below:

1st Place – Ava Passalacqua, Riverside High School

2nd Place – Lailah Kerslake, iSchool Virtual Academy

3rd Place – Anna Sweet, iStem/Auburn Career Center

The bus wrap designed by Passalacqua will be unveiled at special ceremony on Tuesday, April 7 at the Riverside Campus and displayed on a Laketran Dial-a-Ride bus for one year.

WHAT:           Laketran unveils winning bus wrap from its annual Design a Bus Wrap art contest

WHEN:           Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 10:00 am

WHERE:        Main Entrance at Riverside High School, 585 Riverside Drive, Painesville, Ohio 44077

EVENT:          Laketran will unveil the winning bus wrap on its Dial-a-Ride bus at the Riverside Campus and recognize 1st place winner, Ava Passalacqua