Every weekday during the school year, parents send their most precious possessions, their children, off to school trusting they will arrive to school and back home safely. It is due in large part to one individual, Connie Miller, that the precious cargo in Sedalia, MO school buses makes that trip safely each and every day.Earlier this year, Miller was selected as one of two national award winners from110,000 individuals who work for First Student, the parent company of First Student, transportation providers for Sedalia School District 200.For Miller, it has always been about the children.Miller has witnessed multiple generations in her 38 years working in the district as location manager, driver trainer and driver for Sedalia 200.“Connie’s commitment to her community and her customers is second to none,” Steve Triplett, Sedalia 200 assistant superintendent for buildings and grounds and support services, read on behalf of First Student at the May 8, 2017 Board of Education Meeting. “The Sedalia School District completely relies on her counsel on all school bus transportation matters, and she is seen as a part of theSedalia School District staff.“Her vast knowledge of school bus operations and Missouri state rules cements her place as a valued advisor to the Central Region and Western Missouri-Kansas leadership,” Triplett continued. “Above all, she has been a calming presence, particularly during the 2011 tornado that destroyed the school bus location after which she worked hard to help get the operation running again.”It is because of her dedication and commitment to others and her work that Miller was chosen for the award.In the summer months she will prepare for the next school year by recruiting drivers and working on route changes.“Company meetings are held in the summer months so we can learn about all the new regulations in school busing, and how First Student is ‘Caring for students today, tomorrow, together,’” Miller said. – Hope Lecchi, Sedalia Democrat, May 17, 2017.