In the final stretch of an nationwide online video competition, Turlock's Walnut Elementary is within reach of first place.

Walnut Elementary Education Center is currently in second place in the Scotties Trees Rock video contest, which began several weeks ago. Voting continues until Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

A group of three third-grade classes from Walnut were selected as one of 10 national finalists in the contest, which has a grand prize of $10,000 and a Trees Rock entertainment event and tree planting.

“We really want to stay in first place and be the number one video in the nation, get $10,000 and a Trees Rock entertainment show,” said Irene Hales, a Walnut teacher involved with the contest. “Our students, staff, parents and community have been amazing in their support of us.”

Walnut students have been standing in the school parking lot every morning waving signs, trying to encourage the community to vote.

“They really want to win!” Hales said.

Kersey Creek Elementary School, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, is currently winning the contest. Exact vote counts are unavailable.

Walnut's video, entitled “Hug A Tree,” features Walnut students speaking about the importance of trees in the Central Valley, as well as a catchy tune based on the popular song “When I’m Gone.”

At the end of the video, the students explain some of the projects they would like to complete with the prize money.

“If we win we’d like to plant more trees around the playground to keep us safe from the sun’s harmful rays and to keep the slides cooler, and we’d like to save more trees by using less paper and typing on a computer instead,” students said.

Voters must be 18 years or older. All voters are entered to win one of three Scotties brand home and personal care packages. Votes can be submitted once per day.

To view the video and vote, visit http://www.scottiestreesrock.com/.