The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) held its 49th Annual School Bus Driver Safety Competition on May 17, 2025, at Rockland Lake State Park. This year marked the event’s return after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every day, more than 2 million students across New York State rely on the commitment and expertise of school bus drivers to get to and from school safely. The Roadeo offers these essential professionals a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a spirited, yet friendly, competition focused on excellence in student transportation safety.

“This event was a huge success, full of energy and pride,” said Thomas Smith, NYSBCA board president. “It was great to see the camaraderie and to offer our drivers a platform to showcase their expertise. School bus drivers are vital members of the workforce, and this competition honors the critical role they play in safely transporting students each day.”

2025 Winners

Type A School Bus (Van)

• 1st Place: Marlon Forrester, WE Transport

• 2nd Place: James Baumer, Beacon Mobility

• 3rd Place: Charmain Kanhai Noronha, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.

• 4th Place: Lynn Kavanagh, Chestnut Ridge Transportation

• 5th Place: Sanjay Brooks, Chappaqua Transportation

Type C School Bus (Conventional)

• 1st Place: Manuel Claudio, Educational Bus Transportation

• 2nd Place: James Breen, Educational Bus Transportation

• 3rd Place: Mary Myslim, Chappaqua Transportation

• 4th Place: Alfred Sanchez, First Student, Inc.

• 5th Place: Johnatan Rojas, Chappaqua Transportation

Type D School Bus (Transit)

• 1st Place: Rafael Vicencio Ortega, Chestnut Ridge Transportation

• 2nd Place: Wilfredo Ramos, Monroe-Woodbury CSD

• 3rd Place: Dawn Elsaesser, Monroe-Woodbury CSD

Rookie Award

• Manuel Claudio, Educational Bus Transportation

The first-place winners from each category will go on to represent New York at the National School Transportation Association’s School Bus Driver International Safety Competition on June 28, 2025, in Austin at Hays CISD.

NYSBCA thanked the following individuals and companies for the part in making the event possible: Seth Corwin (Chappaqua Transportation, Inc.), James Rogan (The Trans Group, LLC), and Frank Klein (Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.) for weekly Roadeo planning meetings and course setup and facilitation; Sean Corr (The Trans Group, LLC) for supplying the essential equipment; presenting sponsor, BusPatrol, and contributing sponsors Bird Bus Sales & Service, Leonard Bus Sales, Inc., Nesco Bus and Truck Sales, Inc., and Goosetown Communications. 

View photos and video from the event at www.nysbca.com/roadeo.