Warsaw School Bus Driver Places in National Awards
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Jim Merritt drives bus 98 for Warsaw Community Schools.
Thanks to a Harrison Elementary School sixth-grader who rides his bus, Merritt was named 2011 Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year first runner-up by Thomas Built Buses.
Merritt was nominated by student Shannon Randels. During the Warsaw School Board meeting Monday night, Merritt and Randels were recognized by Kerlin Bus Sales President Clifford Zehr.
Zehr said Thomas Built Buses gave him a call three weeks ago and told him about the honor.
Merritt’s first runner-up award is a national honor and includes Canada.
Randels read her letter to the board nominating Merritt for the award.
In part, Randels wrote Merritt reassures parents, teaches rider etiquette with “student of the day” and is someone she looks forward to seeing every morning.
“He’s kind of like a grandfather to me,” she wrote.
Zehr presented Randels with a bus lunch box, jacket, a plaque and a certificate. Merritt was recognized last Thursday at bus driver’s training, Zehr said. At the board meeting, Merritt already was wearing the jacket presented to him, but Zehr also presented him with a plaque and certificate, too.
Merritt told the board that Randels, “deserves a lot of credit. She is a great young lady.”
According to a Thomas Built Buses press release, to qualify for the honor, drivers were required to have a minimum of five years of experience.
Now in its sixth year, the contest was initiated as part of Thomas Built Buses 90th anniversary celebration in 2005. Since then thousands of children have nominated their favorite bus driver in 90-word essays that often include original artwork and photos of themselves with their drivers.
Essays were judged for content and originality by representatives of the National Student Transportation Association and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, editors of School Bus Fleet and School Transportation News magazines and a Thomas Built Buses employee. The winning entries may be viewed at www.thomasbus.com/contest
