JERICHO, N.Y. — A New York elementary school student is the latest winner in an artwork contest sponsored by First Student.

The contest celebrates the experience of riding the school bus through artwork created by students in school districts across North America.

First Student selected the latest winning entry from the Jericho School District. Richard Xu, a second grader at George A. Jackson School, captured how “Happiness starts with yellow.”  

“Nothing symbolizes the start and end of every school day more than the yellow school bus,” said First Student President Dennis R. Maple. “We recognize the important role we play in each child’s school day, and through this artwork contest, we get a chance to see what riding a First Student bus means to the students we serve.”

First Student awarded Jackson School $1,000 to put toward classroom supplies. Xu’s artwork will also be featured as part of a First Student advertising campaign in the June issue of American School Board Journal.

“Participating in the artwork contest provided our students with a great opportunity to show their appreciation for the role the school bus plays in their lives,” said Jackson School Principal Benny D’Aquila. “We are proud of Richard for the creativity he showed in creating the winning entry.”

First Student is awarding a total of $12,000 this year to schools with winning entries in participating districts that the company serves. Four other winning entries have been selected from St. Louis Public Schools and Rockwood School District in Missouri.

Contest submissions are also being shared on First Student's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts using the hashtag #MasterpieceMonday.