HIGH POINT, N.C. — School bus manufacturer Thomas Built Buses is once again recognizing bus drivers and the job that they do by asking students to nominate their drivers for the Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year contest.

“Getting students safely to school and home again is a school bus driver’s primary responsibility,” said Kelley Platt, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “Many drivers do this and go the extra mile. The essay contest lets us hear directly from children whose bus drivers have made a meaningful impact in their lives by being role models, champions, mentors and friends.”

Over the years, officials said Thomas Built has received thousands of heartfelt essays from children across the U.S. and Canada sharing stories of bus drivers’ compassion and extraordinary actions that help make their day brighter.

For the contest, now in its eighth year, students in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to submit essays of at least 90 and no more than 200 words to nominate their favorite school bus drivers. Students can describe what makes their drivers special.

For example, does the driver help the student feel safe on the bus? Does he or she know the student’s name or start each day with a smile? Or encourage a spirit of sharing by organizing food, toy or book drives? Does he or she celebrate special occasions?

Entries must be postmarked by May 31, 2013. The child who nominates the grand prize winner will receive a laptop computer, and the nominated driver will receive a $1,000 Visa gift card. Grand prize winners and top finalists also will receive Thomas Built Buses jackets.

To enter the contest, visit www.thomasbus.com/contest for complete rules and an entry form.

Completed forms and typed or legibly printed essays should be mailed to: Children’s Choice Essay Contest, HMH, 1435 W. Morehead St., Ste. 140, Charlotte, NC 28208.

Officials said the winners will be announced on the Thomas Built website by Sept. 16, and the winning essays will be featured on the website when the judging is complete.

News on last year's Children's Choice School Bus Driver of the Year:

• Driver contest winner goes extra mile for students