Laketran is proud to announce the winners of their 2025 Design a Bus Wrap art contest. Lily Walker, a sophomore at Mentor High School, won first prize for her design entry themed, “50 years of a cleaner, greener, Lake County!”

As the top winner, Walker’s design will be displayed on one of Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride buses for one year.

“I was inspired by the monarch butterflies that migrate to our marsh every summer. Their journey represents change and resilience, which felt perfect for celebrating Lake County’s 50 years of being a greener place,” Walker shared of her design. “I also included recycling elements to highlight the importance of protecting nature for the future.”

The contest was open to middle school and high school students from Lake County. Students were encouraged to design a bus wrap showcasing Laketran’s 50th anniversary and could include iconic images of Lake County and/or promote public transportation. Over 110 entries were received this year.

“We thrilled to offer local students the chance to incorporate public transportation with public art. Collaborating with local schools helps us foster creativity and engagement while highlighting the importance of public transportation in our region,” shared Laketran CEO Ben Capelle.” The creativity of this year’s entries truly impressed us, and it’s clear that Lake County has some incredibly talented student artists. We’re excited to continue working together with our community partners to bring these projects to life and inspire the next generation.

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

Avery Dennison, a Lake County-based manufacturer and distributor of pressure-sensitive adhesive materials, sponsored the contest and donated the vinyl material used to wrap the vehicle.

“Avery Dennison is honored to sponsor this program for the fifth consecutive year, marking a truly meaningful milestone. We are thankful for the chance to support Laketran, our local students, and the broader Lake County community,” said Amanda Stefanik, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions.

“Year after year, our team takes immense pride in being a part of an initiative that sparks the imagination and creativity of local students. This program not only showcases their artistic talents but also introduces them to industries like graphics and transportation that play a vital role in Lake County. We value the collaboration with local leaders and schools to promote awareness of vinyl graphics among students, art programs, and educators. This year’s winning bus design by Lily Walker, a sophomore at Mentor High School, is a perfect example of how graphic vinyl film can serve as a vibrant and captivating artistic medium,” said Stefanik.

Contest winners include:

• 1st Place – Lily Walker, Mentor High School
• 2nd Place – Grace Judson, Mentor High School
• 3rd Place – Neeka Torres-Fults, Riverside High School