Thomas Built donates $10K to schools for contest winners
Five schools were awarded $2,000 each in recognition of their winning photo entries in the second annual Thomas Built Buses Back to School Photo Contest.

Thomas Built Buses presented a $2,000 donation to Carlisle Elementary School in Boaz, Alabama. The donation was presented by Joe Lightsey, shown center, of Transportation South.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Five schools across the U.S. each were awarded $2,000 in recognition of their winning photo entries in the second annual Thomas Built Buses Back to School Photo Contest.
The schools that received the prize money were Joliet Township High School in Joliet, Illinois; Carver Elementary School in Tupelo, Mississippi; Carlisle Elementary School in Boaz, Alabama; Clear Springs Elementary School in Excelsior, Minnesota; and Moon Lake Elementary School in Rainsville, Alabama.
In its second year, the photo contest invited parents across the country to submit a photo of their child that best represents the spirit of the back-to-school season. The photos then were posted to the Thomas Built Buses Facebook page for voting by the public. The 50 photos with the most online votes were presented to a panel of judges, who determined the five winners based on specific criteria.

Thomas Built Buses presented a $2,000 donation to Clear Springs Elementary School in Excelsior, Minnesota. The donation was presented by Todd Telin of Telin Transportation, shown left.
Each of the five winners was awarded a $2,000 donation to their child’s school from Thomas Built Buses.
“School buses have always been an iconic symbol for the back-to-school season and the excitement that goes with it,” said Thomas Built Buses President and CEO Caley Edgerly. “We thoroughly enjoyed all of the photos entered in our second-annual photo contest, and we were so pleased to be able to make donations to the winning schools again this year.”
More Management

Zum Secures Continued Financing Support for School Bus Expansion
Generate Private Credit has financed approximately $75 million in school bus deployments across three states, supporting more than 500 buses as Zum expands across the county.
Read More →
Beyond Discipline: A Different Approach to Student Behavior on the Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements. Here’s how it worked. The Route is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →A Dean of Transportation's Different Approach to Student Behavior on the School Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements on the bus. Here’s how it worked.
Read More →
Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →
Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →

