GREENSBORO, N.C. — Exceptional drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showed off their knowledge and skills in the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition this weekend.
The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) hosted the 46th edition of the competition at Thomas Built Buses Inc. in High Point.
The contestants began on Saturday with a written exam testing their understanding of the rules of the road. On Sunday, they got behind the wheel of a school bus and completed a road course. Drivers competed in one of three categories: conventional, small bus, or transit.
"This great event showcases excellence in school bus knowledge, maneuvering and skill. School bus transportation is the safest mode of transportation available and these elite drivers are truly the best of the best. We congratulate all of the competitors in this international competition as well as the winners in each vehicle category," said NSTA President Todd Monteferrario.
Here are the top contestants:
Small Bus
1st — Virginia Smythe, Greater Albany Public Schools, Oregon
2nd — Geoffrey Roan, Educational Bus Transportation, New York
3rd — Gloria Flor, Crosby-Ironton Transportation, Minnesota
Honorable Mention — Claudia Christen, Prairie Bus Lines, Alberta, Canada
Conventional Bus
1st — Kristina Raley, Vidor Independent School District, Texas
2nd — Michelle Derryberry, Marysville Joint Unified School District, California
3rd — Larry Hannon Sr., Centennial School District, Pennsylvania
Honorable Mention — John Labus, Cabell County Schools, West Virginia
Transit Bus
1st — Mark Miller, Bellingham Public Schools, Washington
2nd — Delene Lewis, Allen Independent School District, Texas
3rd — Joey Goodpaster, Cabell County Schools, West Virginia
Honorable Mention — Derek Bosserman, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, California
The School Bus Driver International Safety Competition was held in conjunction with NSTA's 52nd Annual Meeting and Convention, which began on Sunday and continues through Wednesday.
