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Colorado team wins special-needs roadeo

Myra Walstead and Jesse Hill from Academy School District 20 take first place in the annual National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo. The runner-up teams hail from Georgia and California.

March 14, 2013
1 min to read


FRISCO, Texas — School bus drivers and attendants from across the country convened here last weekend to display their skills in the 16th National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo.

Taking first place were Myra Walstead and Jesse Hill of Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

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Coming in second were Rhonda Fiddler and Susan Nulph of Cherokee County Schools in Canton, Ga. Fiddler placed third in last year’s roadeo with partner Dale Roberts.

In third place this year were Robelyn Watson and Cynthia Wright of San Diego Unified School District.

In the annual roadeo, participants are judged on such factors as driving a special-needs bus; loading and securing students in wheelchairs; student management; and emergency evacuation. The event also includes training and a written exam.

The roadeo is now co-produced by the National Association for Pupil Transportation and STN Media Group. This year’s competition was held on March 9 at Frisco Independent School District and was sponsored by Q’Straint and Sure-Lok.

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