"Children's Choice School Bus Driver of the Year"
Every day, all over the US and Canada, school bus drivers make a difference in the lives of children. So, in 2006, as a way to recognize those unsung heroes, Thomas Built Buses established the "Children's Choice School Bus Driver of the Year" essay contest.
The contest invites children across North America to nominate their favorite school bus driver and thank them for their dedicated service. Now in its sixth year, the national essay contest has become a Thomas Built tradition.
And the 2011 Children's Choice Drivers of the Year are:
WINNER
Driver - Joyce St. John
Nominating Child – Mauriene Ann
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 42
- Type of Bus - IC Bus
- School District - Morgan County Schools, Decatur, AL
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - It would take this whole page and more to tell you how much I have enjoyed the years of driving a school bus. Knowing that I helped provide safe transportation for all these children to and from school each and every day is a big part of it. Looking back I have tremendous pride in having known all the different groups of well behaved children from one school year to the next. I think they all feel, as I do, that we accomplished this part of their day with safety and care.
This is a great honor and it just means the world to me. Since retiring in July 2011, I have been at loose ends. Completing one school term and looking forward to beginning the next was my life for so many years. I don't think I was fully prepared for the shock of ending something I had come to love so dearly. As my son Tommy told me "Momma, you'll never be happy unless you are in something big with a diesel engine and painted bright yellow." I think he's right.
2011 Children's ChoiceSchool Bus Driver of the Year,
Joyce St. John
RUNNER UP
Driver - Jim Merritt
Nominating Child - Shannon
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 6
- Type of Bus - Thomas Built
- School District - Warsaw Community Schools, Warsaw, IN
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - I enjoy driving the bus and interacting with the elementary students. I am very proud and honored that Shannon thought enough of me to nominate me for this award. I am humbled to be chosen for such recognition. I enjoy the work and have great students.
Jim Merritt
HONORABLE MENTIONS*
DRIVER - Thomas (Skip) Pillow
CHILD - Cristina
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 4
- Type of Bus - Thomas Built and Bluebird
- School District - Reynolds School District, Fairview, OR
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - There is nothing in this world sweeter than the sound of children's laughter. Regardless of what is going on in their day, they can put aside their problems and laugh out loud. The kids on my routes teach me that life is fun and you can laugh about anything!
Skip PillowDRIVER - Evans Okoduwa
CHILD - Dailyn
- Number of Years Driving a School Bus - 2
- Type of Bus - Varies depending on the day
- School District - Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, NC
- Favorite thing about being a school bus driver - The pleasure of knowing the children and of realizing that I am serving an import and need in their lives.
I am accepting this award on behalf of all Rocky-River CMS drivers who safely navigate the busy streets of Charlotte every morning and afternoon while ensuring students are well-behaved and get to school on-time.
Evans Okoduwa
*To qualify, drivers were required to have a minimum of 5 years of experience. However, the judges felt these finalist entries deserved honorable mentions.
