2010 Essay Contest Winners
WINNER
Driver - Lester Lemasters
Nominating Child – Chancellor
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 6
- Type of Bus - Bluebird
- School District - Monongalia County Schools, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - "I love to see the kids and hear all the stories they have to tell."
2010 Children's ChoiceSchool Bus Driver of the Year,
Lester Lemasters
RUNNERS UP
Driver - Pat Ferguson
Nominating Child - Sarah
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 27
- Type of Bus - Thomas Built
- School District - Crown Point Community Schools , Crown Point, Indiana
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - "I love kids. If I can make a difference in their lives, it makes it all worthwhile. The hugs are a great perk too!"
Pat FergusonDriver - Leslie Andrews
Nominating Child - Samantha
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 8
- Type of Bus - International
- School District - Pender County Schools, Hampstead, North Carolina
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - "What I love most about driving the bus is that no matter how bad my morning or evening is, I can depend on the children to cheer me up and lift my spirits. Listening to them sing songs and tell funny jokes will certainly do it, but most importantly, it is their hugs followed by, 'I love you, Ms. Leslie,' that means the most!"
Leslie Andrews
HONORABLE MENTION
Timothy Driggers goes above the call of duty with his own on-board literacy program for his passengers, earning him an honorable mention in this year's contest.
DRIVER - Timothy Driggers
CHILD - Shivani
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 6
- Type of Bus - Thomas Built
- School District - Hillsborough County Schools, Tampa, Florida
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - "Nothing comes close to being around those great kids! It's cool to watch them grow up. And no awards or prizes compare to making a difference in a child's life."
Timothy Driggers