Sixth-grader Jazmine Alvarado believes a tiger symbolizes strength, strong character and fearlessness — the perfect characteristics for a truck driven by law enforcement officials to discourage kids from joining gangs and educate them about strong values.
Jazmine’s “Tiger Truck” design was recently chosen as the winner of this year’s OC-GRIP Mobile Design Competition. Black tiger stripes over an orange background now wrap around an SUV that traverses the county, serving as a resource for schools and families.
The OC Grip (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) Design Contest was created as a partnership among The Ford Motor Co., Orange County District Attorney’s office, law enforcement agencies, schools and other community partners. Its goal is to work in communities with high rates of at-risk students to improve school attendance and decrease gang activity.
Jazmine, a student at Walter School in the Magnolia School District, beat out 140 students from 14 elementary schools across the county.
Jazmine said she feels that the automotive industry is dominated by males, and hopes to inspire other girls.