HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has created a contest in which school bus drivers will be honored by those who rely on them most — their passengers.

The nationwide “Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year” contest, which will run through Aug. 11, 2006, will reward both the winning driver and the child who nominates him or her.

The child will receive a $1,000 educational savings bond and a laptop computer, while the driver will win a trip for two (which includes round-trip airfare and a two-night hotel stay) to the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s conference in November in Kansas City, Mo.

“We think the greatest honor school bus drivers can receive is recognition from the children who depend upon them for safe travel every day,” said John O’Leary, president of Thomas Built Buses.

The introduction of the contest also coincides with a milestone for the school bus manufacturer: its 90th anniversary. All winners and runners-up will receive 90th anniversary-themed Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus lunchboxes and themed jackets.

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade can nominate their favorite driver by submitting a 90-word essay about what makes the driver special. Parental help is allowed. Entries can be entered with or without pictures by e-mailing entries@thinkhmh.com or by mailing them to the following address:

Children’s Choice
HMH
1800 SW 1st Ave., Ste. 250
Portland, OR 97201

SCHOOL BUS FLEET Publisher Frank Di Giacomo and Knowledge Learning Center’s fleet services senior manager, Dave Lear, will assist Thomas Built Buses representatives in judging entries. Winners will be notified and announced in September.

For contest rules and other information, go to www.thomasbus.com/contest.