BREAKING: A 14-year-old student from Bellevue, Nebraska, has captured the community’s attention by winning a contest to design a wrap for a police cruiser. Harper Hardin, a talented artist from Mission Middle School, expressed her disbelief after being selected for the honor. “I was kind of just, like, in shock, like, total shock that I had won,” Hardin stated.
The creative design, which features a striking combination of white camouflage and purple accents, reflects both the local military presence and school pride. “This is like a very large military community. And I thought white camo always looks sleek. So I chose that partially because of the military community, partially because it looks cool,” Hardin explained.
Incorporating Bellevue’s school colors, the design showcases purple prominently on the hood and roof of the cruiser. This vehicle will serve all three middle schools in the district, driven by School Resource Officer Isaias Rosario. Rosario initiated the contest to enhance engagement with students, emphasizing, “What better way to connect with someone than, hey, like, you can potentially have your car out there, you know?”
Hardin submitted her design back in November 2023 and eagerly checked in with Officer Rosario throughout the selection process. “I kept asking Officer Rosario, hey, when are you guys gonna pick the cruiser? Like, every time I saw him in the office,” she recalled. Rosario confirmed that seeing the final design affirmed his choice, stating, “It brings joy to my eyes, I guess.”
The Bellevue Police Department drew inspiration for this contest from custom designs previously created for the district’s high school resource officers. Hardin expressed gratitude towards her art teacher for encouraging her to participate, highlighting the positive influence of mentorship in her journey.
As the newly wrapped cruiser prepares to hit the streets, it symbolizes not only artistic talent but also a bridge between students and law enforcement, fostering community spirit and connection. Keep an eye out for this unique vehicle as it begins to make its rounds in Bellevue, showcasing the creativity of its young designers.
