CINCINNATI — First Student drivers received high rankings at the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) 42nd Annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition. This prestigious event features nearly 100 school bus drivers competing in a driving skills challenge and written exam to determine the top drivers in Conventional, Transit and Small Bus categories. This year’s competition took place July 14-15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
First Student driver Mark Koelbl of Calgary, Alberta, placed first in the Conventional Bus Class. Molley Cornwell of Wichita, Kansas placed sixth in the same category. Robert Parrish of Wasilla, Alaska, placed second in the Transit Bus Class, and Dorothy Dorma of Wichita, Kansas placed sixth in the Small Bus Class.
In all, 14 First Student drivers qualified to compete at this year’s International Safety Competition. They also included:
- Jeremiah Barr, Santa Rosa, California
- Brian Cravens, Bethel, Oregon
- Vicki Delvechio, Pine Bush, New York
- Michelle Dorre, Oakdale, Minnesota
- Scott Forrester, Silverton, Oregon
- Terry Kimmell, Harrison, Michigan
- Debbie Labbe, Prarieview, Illinois
- Victoria Seekamp, Santa Rosa, California
- David Shoenrock, Parkville, Missouri
- Steve Verrecchio, Neputune, New Jersey
DrivDrivers qualified for the event by placing in the top 10 of their state or province competition. Many First Student drivers competed in regional, state and provincial competitions leading up to the International event.
At First Student, the safety and security of the students we transport is our core value, and all First Student drivers receive more than 40 hours of training before driving one of the company’s school buses. In addition to each state’s mandated training, First Student drivers participate in in-service safety meetings throughout the year to discuss various topics.