LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. — The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) presented industry safety and service awards during its annual convention here in October.

This year’s NYSBCA Contractor of the Year Award went to Robert Pape, partner and secretary/treasurer of Dell Transportation in Port Washington, New York. From his start with Hendrickson Bus Corp., to serving as the director of transportation for Lawrence Public Schools, to his current position with Dell Transportation, Pape has been a leading authority on student transportation for more than 40 years, according to NYSBCA.

“Throughout his entire career, including his service on the New York School Bus Contractors Association board and as its past president, Robert’s passion and commitment to safe school transportation has been inspirational,” NYSBCA President Bree Allen said. “He is a mentor and a friend, a powerful voice in our industry, and its conscience.”

The winner of the NYSBCA Contractor of the Year Award is also honored with the Roger Weeks Scholarship Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship for the winner’s school district of choice.

Pape and John Corrado, president of Suffolk Transportation Service, were also named lifetime honorary members of NYSBCA.

Meanwhile, the association’s Distinguished Service Award went to former New York state pupil transportation director Mary Sansaricq and Nestor Zaragoza, president and CEO of Nesco Bus Sales and Service. Accepting the award on behalf of Sansaricq, who died unexpectedly in September, were her husband, Ralph, and son Robert.

NYSBCA also presented two Heart of the Industry Awards: one to an on-road employee and the other to an off-road employee. The on-road honor went to Maureen Moore, a driver for West Point Tours. The off-road winner was Patrick Kinane, president of Golden Sun Bus Service.