Ten student transportation professionals were in the running for EverDriven's first-ever Modern Student Transportation Awards, a recognition program spotlighting school district leaders who are embracing modern tools, inclusive practices, and a commitment to safety and accessibility.

These awards recognize district leaders who are improving student transportation for diverse populations, including those experiencing housing instability and requiring specialized services through thoughtful innovation and care. Finalists stood out for their efforts to make transportation more inclusive, reliable, and safe, whether by utilizing new technologies, designing flexible systems to meet diverse student needs, or demonstrating exceptional compassion in how services are delivered.

“This year’s honorees, and every nominee, represent the heart of what makes modern student transportation so special,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Across the country, leaders are raising the bar with creativity, compassion, and courage to ensure every student has a safe and consistent ride to school. The individuals recognized through these awards embody that shared mission, and we’re proud to celebrate all who are driving this work forward.”

2025 Award Winners & Categories

After receiving dozens of nominations from across the country, EverDriven honored four exceptional winners whose work exemplifies the future of student mobility. 

Equity in Education Accessibility Award

Honors district leaders who deliver scalable and inclusive transportation solutions for underserved student populations.

Winner: Jeremy Stowe, Director of Transportation at Buncombe County Schools, North Carolina

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Stowebuilt a new transportation system in record time to support more than 1,200 Buncombe County students experiencing housing instability across 660 square miles. His leadership turned crisis into action, keeping students connected to their schools and communities with speed, equity, and deep compassion.

Humanitarian Award

Highlights extraordinary care and compassion in ensuring every student gets to school safely and consistently.

Winner: Earl Kent III, Route Planning Manager at Denver Public Schools, Colorado

Kent's compassion and ingenuity have made him a champion for students facing housing instability. From using AI to route students to their new schools after school closures to solving everyday challenges with empathy, Kent ensures every child has a safe ride and a trusted advocate, no matter the hour or circumstance.

Safety & Reliability Award

Recognizes standout practices that enhance the safety and consistency of student transportation.

Winner: Kayla Denaco, Assistant Director of Transportation at Lewiston Public Schools, Maine

Denaco transformed Lewiston’s transportation system from dated and paper-based to a fully digitized, efficient operation. Her work has improved safety, saved thousands in district costs, and ensured over 600 McKinney-Vento students received reliable and dignified transportation.

Top Innovator Award

Celebrates the most impactful use of modern, AI-enabled technology in school transportation.

Winner: Quanika Dukes-Spruill,Executive Director of Pupil Transportation at Newark Public Schools, New Jersey

In New Jersey’s largest school district, Dukes-Spruill is redefining the future of student mobility. Through her visionary leadership, Newark has implemented smarter vendor management, advanced routing technologies, and forward-thinking state advocacy, achieving measurable cost savings while ensuring transportation solutions remain equitable, efficient, and centered on students’ needs.

Winner Selection

The winners were selected by a panel of judges from across the student transportation and education industries, including Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven; Barbara Duffield, executive director of SchoolHouse Connection; Kevin Gordon, president at Capital Advisors; and Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy at Everway.

Nominations were scored across four dimensions:

• Tangible student impact: Presenting clear evidence of real, measurable benefits for students (attendance, safety, accessibility, well-being, etc.).

• Comprehensiveness: How fully the initiative addresses the challenge – depth of planning, execution, and stakeholder involvement.

• Scalability and sustainability: Potential for the initiative to be expanded within the district, adopted by others elsewhere, and that it will endure over time.

• Creativity: Delivers a fresh, forward-thinking approach; challenging the traditional model with inventive solutions, bold ideas, or unconventional strategies that break from “the way it’s always been done” to achieve better student outcomes.

The Finalists

The following district leaders were selected as finalists for their outstanding contributions to student transportation related to the categories above.

• Jameelah Davis, Program Coordinator – Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, FL

• Kayla Denaco, Assistant Director of Transportation – Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME

• Laura Hill, General Manager, Transportation Services – Hillsborough County Transportation School Department – Hillsborough School District, Tampa, FL

• Earl Kent III, Route Planning Manager – Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO

• Lori Knochelmann, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Coordinator – Covington Independent Public Schools, Covington, KY

• Marla Lynn, Director of Transportation – Grandview School District, Grandview, MO

• Sarah Nanny, Transportation Department Secretary – Escambia County School District, Pensacola, FL

• Quanika Dukes-Spruill, Executive Director – Newark Public Schools, Newark, NJ

• Jeremy Stowe, Director of Transportation – Buncombe County Schools, Asheville, NC

• Pat Ward, Former Director of Maintenance and Transportation – Allen Park Public Schools, Allen Park, MI

Nominations for next year’s program will open in the summer, inviting districts across the country to share the stories of those driving meaningful impact for students.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on Oct. 22, 2025, and was updated on Nov. 11, 2025, to add the winner selections.