ST. JOSEPH, La. — Tensas Parish School Board bus driver Lillie Lewis was recently honored as the 2013-14 Statewide Bus Driver of the Year by the Property Casualty Alliance of Louisiana (PCAL).

Officials said this designation is awarded to one PCAL parish school bus driver and represents the highest level of dedication and accomplishment.

Nancy Pratt of Risk Services of Louisiana and PCAL representative Aaron Ramsey presented Lewis with the award. Lewis was given an engraved plaque, a $1,000 check and a personalized jacket.

When asked what it was like to be honored, Lewis said, “This award was such a surprise.”

Now in its 10th year, the PCAL Bus Driver of the Year program recognized nine member drivers as their parishes' 2013-14 Bus Driver of the Year. These awards are based upon multiple driver attributes, including leadership, attitude, perseverance, student and parent relationships, and technical skill.

Of these nine parish honorees, two drivers were named 2013-14 PCAL Regional Bus Drivers of the Year. This designation, reserved for a smaller group of parish Bus Driver of the Year recipients, represents an even higher level of dedication and accomplishment.

In related news, Shelley Wilkenson, a bus driver for Midlothian (Texas) Independent School District, was honored in March by the Property Casualty Alliance of Texas (PCAT) as the 2013-14 Statewide Bus Driver of the Year.

Like Lewis, Wilkenson received an engraved plaque, a $1,000 check and a personalized jacket. Carl Smith of Scarbrough, Medlin & Associates and PCAT representative Aaron Ramsey presented her with the award.

When asked what it was like to be honored, Wilkenson said, “It makes it worthwhile for my daughter.”

"Student transportation in a yellow school bus continues to be the safest mode of transportation to and from school, due in very large part to the skill and dedication of those who drive the school buses,” Ramsey said. “We wish to recognize those drivers who have made exemplary efforts to provide for the safety, education and happiness of schoolchildren in PCAL [and PCAT] member schools.”

The PCAT Bus Driver of the Year program also recognized 60 member drivers as their districts' 2013-14 Bus Driver of the Year. Of the 60 honorees, six were named 2013-14 Regional Bus Drivers of the Year.

PCAL and PCAT are nonprofit school risk programs.

Another bus driver honored by Property Casualty Alliance of Texas:

• Texas bus driver honored by school risk program