Bus drivers honored for safe driving

Safe Driving pins are only awarded to those drivers for each year driven without being involved in an accident that causes damage. Remarkably Frando, Henson and Hughes were among the first drivers hired by Transportation Services when it began 20 years ago and in that time they’ve achieved a perfect driving record.

In presenting the awards, Assistant Superintendent Support Services Tom Valos noted, “They were our first drivers, and we only had 40 bus routes back then. We have 54 now, and our drivers logged almost 2 million miles this past year. That’s incredible. What you do requires great driving and lots of patience. You should be very proud.”

A total of 48 drivers were honored with Safe Driving pins from those that had completed one year up to the 20 years logged by Frando, Henson and Hughes.

Another rare distinction was achieved by Becky Bowers, Joann Mulholland, David Register and Tomi Weller who were honored with 12 year Safe Driving pins. Valos observed that all four had been hired at the same time.

“I never realized that until today,” said Weller. “I am just grateful and feel proud, and I look forward to the day when we will be up here collecting our 20 year pins together”

“Yes, I think as a group we do have a special bond,” Register said. “It’s always a good feeling having other drivers accomplishing the same safe driving record with you. We are like a family.”

Henson distinguished herself in another category. She has logged the most miles of any of the drivers, 618,360, without a preventable accident. For that feat, Henson received a Safe Driving Certificate from Officers Joe Vega and Mack Wimbush of the California Highway Patrol. Safe Driving certificates are awarded to drivers who have driven at least 10 years or a minimum of 100,000 miles without a preventable accident.

Others receiving Safe Driving certificates were: Melissa Hawley-Davis - 102,995; Elena Carrillo - 124,073; Robyn Bolin - 127,949; Debra Sumlin -211,611; Linda Rodriguez - 222,922; Myra Payne - 241,620; David Register - 319,562; Jodee Gilbert-Uhlman - 354,823; and Judy Fike - 484,862.

“School bus transportation is the safest of any kind,” Wimbush told the drivers. “You should be congratulated because you carry our most precious cargo - our children.”

SAFE DRIVING PIN AWARDS

1 Year Pin
 Karen Snyder, Ken Hayden, Tracy Vanderlei, Chris Chenoweth, Vera Fisher

2 Year Pin
 Terri Gamble, Melissa Hawley-Davis, Teresa Clark, Amabeli Zuniga, Tara Cook, Keisha Dean, Trish Weedon, Stormi Raines

3 Year Pin
 Melanie Ogle, Robyn Bolin, Elena Carrillo, Terri Rocha, JoEllen Diniz

4 Year Pin
 Cathy Kochanski, Darlene Wood

5 Year Pin
 Shirley Cooper

8 Year Pin
 Linda Rodriguez, Ramona Thomas

9 Year Pin
 Charlotte Gonzales, Robyrt Gridiron

10 Year Pin
 Roseann Rios

11 Year Pin
 Virginia Jones

12 Year Pin
 Becky Bowers, Joann Mulholland, David Register, Tomi Weller

13 Year Pin
 Sandy Barker

14 Year Pin
 Myra Payne

15 Year Pin
 Jodee Gilbert-Uhlman, Lori Pelster, Pat Gonzales

16 Year Pin
 Judy Fike, Dotty Peters

18 Year Pin
 Carrie Boschini, Juanita Meza, Debra Sumlin

19 Year Pin
 Sheila Cazares, Pat Jackson, Emily Robinson, Rachel Medina

20 Year Pin
 Jane Frando, Delores Henson, Julia Hughes
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