SamTrans Honors 2024 Art Takes a Bus Ride Winners

Art Takes a Bus Ride winners standing in front of bus.

Editor’s note: Art Takes a Bus Ride photos  

Media Contact: Mahmoud Abunie, 650.730.6201 

SamTrans has announced the winners of the annual county-wide student art competition Art Takes a Bus Ride. The awards ceremony took place at the May board meeting. 

The winning artists, who are in kindergarten through 11th grade, were asked to illustrate the theme “Exploring Nature with SamTrans.” This is the 16th year that SamTrans has partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Education to sponsor the contest, which engages students in the classroom and emphasizes arts in the community.  

More than 100 submissions were received this year from schools throughout San Mateo County. A panel comprised of members from the San Mateo County Arts Commission selected the winning contestants.  

The students, accompanied by their families and teachers, were honored by SamTrans Board members, and were then treated to the unveiling of two special SamTrans buses featuring the students’ works of art. “It was exciting to see all the students and their families celebrate this wonderful event. SamTrans is proud to support young students and promote their creative spirit,” SamTrans Board Chair, Marina Fraser. 

The winning artists received a framed copy of the bus ad card showcasing their art and SamTrans gifts. Their teachers received a gift certificate for arts supplies. The two wrapped buses will be operating in regular SamTrans service throughout the year in San Mateo County. 

"I couldn't be prouder of the student winners of the SamTrans Art Takes a Bus Ride competition. Their incredible artwork beautifully captures the theme of 'Exploring Nature with SamTrans' and showcases the talent and creativity of our youth. These young artists have brought nature's beauty to life and highlighted the importance of sustainable transportation in our community. SMCOE is honored to support and celebrate their achievements," said Allison Gamlen, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the San Mateo County Office of Education. 

Winning Entries 

Luna Dai, kindergarten 

Hillsborough West School 

Bowen Hou, first grade 

College Park Elementary School   

Seher Mausoof, second grade 

Oceanshore School 

Mac Sortino, third grade 

The Carey School 

Hanya Lin, fourth grade 

College Park Elementary School  

McKenna Reynolds, fifth grade 

Lincoln Elementary School  

Telesia Foliaki, sixth grade 

The Primary School 

Mi Nguyen, seventh grade 

Bowditch Middle School 

Maeline Dagenais, eighth grade 

Nesbit Elementary School 

Allison Oh, nineth grade 

Crystal Springs Uplands School 

Maria Gevorgyan, 10th grade 

Aragon High School 

Valerie Li, 11th grade 

Summit Shasta High School 

Art Takes a Bus Ride is one of the many ways SamTrans engages with the communities that it serves. Youth riders have long been a major part of SamTrans service, and introducing people to transit at a young age greatly increases the likelihood that they will continue to use transit throughout their lives. 

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About SamTrans: The San Mateo County Transit District operates 71 routes and two on-demand service areas. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the district also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.  

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