School Bus Drivers, Technicians Compete in Colorado

THORNTON, Colo. — School bus drivers and technicians showcased their skills in competitions held by the Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association last week.

The Colorado technician contest and school bus roadeo championship were held June 20 and 21 at Adams 12 Five Star Schools in Thornton.

The top two individuals or teams in each category qualified to advance to national-level competitions. Here are the results:

Conventional bus
1st — Robert Leach, Academy School District 20
2nd — Wanda van Zonneveld, Cherry Creek School District
3rd — Josh Gonzales, Cherry Creek School District
4th — Jeff Proffitt, Academy School District 20
5th — James Lawrence, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
6th — Denise Nelson, Widefield School District 3

Special needs
1st — Chris Fritz and Syndi Sertich, Academy School District 20
2nd — Debra Combs and Nicole Heather, Aurora Public Schools
3rd — Charie Horne and Sara Lapen, Academy School District 20
4th — Jerry Tomatos and Ron Luthy, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
5th — Tiffany Boyett and Brenna Kempton, Douglas County School District
6th — Craig Walker and Debra Peterson, Harrison School District

Technician contest
Overall:
1st — Zach Davis, Douglas County School District
2nd — Kurt Rosen, Colorado Springs School District 11
3rd — Justin Beddow, Academy School District 20
Best in station:
Written — Troy Doyle, Douglas County School District
Mechanical — Justin Beddow, Academy School District 20
Inspection — Bob May, Academy School District 20

The events weren’t limited to Colorado pupil transportation professionals. Organizers invited neighbors from the north in Wyoming, which doesn’t currently have a state school bus safety competition. A few representatives from Wyoming came to compete and to learn how to take the concept back to their home state.