Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District -

GCISD bus drivers drove away as winners in many categories at the regional School Bus Roadeo event held April 1 at Summit High School in Mansfield. First, second and third place winners advance to the state competition April 29 at West Mesquite High School.

Congratulations to:
Vonda Hopkins, First Place in Transit Bus
Amanda Dise, Third Place in Transit Bus
James Hethcock, First Place in Conventional Bus
Andrelica Smith, Third Place in Conventional Bus
Cliff Kosec and Shiela Whittle, First Place in Special Needs Team

“You’re competing, but you want to learn. You carry those skills over into your job.” said Kosec, a GCISD special needs bus driver for more than nine years. “On the evacuation challenge, for example, you are being timed in getting [students] out [of the bus], but judges are also looking to see that you are doing it in a safe manner.”

Drivers are awarded points on general knowledge and vehicle inspection written tests as well as their behind-the-wheel skills that call for them to maneuver a school bus in and around various driving challenges – all of which are timed.

One of the behind-the-wheel driving challenges was a “Diminishing Clearance Event,” which called for the driver to keep the bus in a smooth and continuous manner while traversing areas with less overhead leeway. Another event was “Offset Alley” where the driver had to navigate a bus to enter areas that were not in front of one another – all without hitting cones. The Special Needs competition also had challenges such as demonstrating how to properly load and secure a wheelchair.

Hopkins, a GCISD bus driver for 12 years, did not initially expect to compete in the roadeo due to a conflict. Two days prior, however, she became available and was excited to take on the challenge.

“I was a little nervous,” she said. “You just have to slow down and pay attention. With experience and prayer and just going for it was the combination. The roadeo definitely sharpens our skills to know what to do and take that into an emergency situation.”

New GCISD bus driver and first place winner Hethcock has only been on the job for three months.

“Getting first place was unexpected, but I had to rely on support from our Transportation Services,” he said. “My trainer as well as Transportation Services provided the set-up and the right equipment and I think that was key.”

"Our GCISD bus drivers are second to none,” said Director of Transportation and Fleet Services Manny Rubio. “Our drivers care about our students, do their jobs with integrity and are skilled in their work. I am very proud of them and congratulate them on their outstanding performance at the regional bus roadeo. They make us proud to be part of GCISD."