NSTA Announces Winners Of School Bus Driver International Safety Competition

Bus drivers competed in one of three categories: Small bus (Type A), Conventional (Type C), or Transit (Type D). (Photo courtesy of NSTA)

The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) recently honored several drivers who successfully competed in the 50th edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition (SBDISC), presented by Beacon Mobility.

Drivers had to go through a competition orientation class, followed by a knowledge (written) test. Then, the skills competition was held at the Hays CISD Transportation Facility, in Uhland, TX, where contestants got behind the wheel and completed a road course. Bus drivers competed in one of three categories: Small bus (Type A), Conventional (Type C), or Transit (Type D).

“The competition offers school bus drivers from across the United States and Canada the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills, allowing them to vie for an international title,” according to a press release. “To be eligible, drivers must compete and win a state or provincial competition in their designated school bus category (small bus, conventional, or transit) within the past year. Drivers must also officially enter the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in the same bus class that he or she won at the state, regional, or provincial level. Winners are determined by the bus driver having the highest score in the category that he or she competed in.”

NSTA has announced the following winners:

Small Bus (Type A) — First Place: Dorthy Dorman, First Student (KS); Second Place: Claudia Christen, Prairie Bus Lines (ALB); Third Place: Jaimes Gener, First Student (WI).

Conventional Bus (Type C) — First Place: Wanda VanZonnevald, Cherry Creek School District (CO); Second Place: Becky Craig-Johnson, Lakeland Joint School District (ID); Third Place: Jered Winnestaffer, Community Bus Services (OH).

Transit Bus (Type D) — First Place: Mark Miller, Bellingham Public Schools (WA); Second Place: Luis Lopez, Bakersfield City School District (CA); Third Place: Jeremy Klung, Canyons School District (UT).

NSTA also honored Bill Loshbough for his service as chairman of the 50th Safety Competition, as well as saluting Fili Bonilla, outgoing Hays CISD Transportation Director, for his support in bringing back the Safety Competition after a four-year hiatus. Earlier this year, NSTA announced a partnership with Hays CISD, as the site will become the permanent location for the annual Safety Competition.

“We are pleased that the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition has made its return in 2024, under the leadership of Bill Loshbough. The event allows bus drivers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills with drivers from around North America to determine which drivers are the best in their category. This iconic event provides an opportunity for school transportation to highlight itself in a competitive, but collegial, environment,” NSTA President Dan Kobussen said.

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