WCPSS Drivers Earn State Roadeo Honors
May 16, 2008 - Three Wake County Public School System bus drivers placed in the top ten at the state's 2008 School Bus Driving Competition on May 15. Billy McKemey finished in second place winning a cash prize of $500 and the second place trophy. Byron Lanier finished in eighth place and Jeff Mellen finished in tenth place. They both received a cash prize of $100 along with a plaque. The competition included 50 drivers with the top ten drivers from five regional school bus roadoes held across the state last month.In the competition, the bus drivers drove for time and accuracy testing a variety of driving skills including diminishing clearance, backing, right turn and parallel parking.
The state’s first place winner was Angelo Caputo of Onslow County who earned a $1,000 cash prize and the right to represent North Carolina at the International School Bus Driving Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada this summer. Billy McKemey of WCPSS will serve as alternate, representing NC at the competition if Caputo is unable to attend.
The WCPSS team finished second in the Special Needs Transportation roadeo. The team of Matthew Monk and Tonya McNeill were second among ten teams from across the state. They each received a trophy and a cash prize of $200. Teams including a bus driver and a safety assistant compete in a driving competition featuring obstacles such as railroad crossing and backing, and demonstrate unique skills such as wheelchair loading and student management. Two teams from each of the state’s five regions earn the right to take part in the state competition. Monk and McNeill finished in first place in last year’s Special Needs roadeo. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Special Needs Roadeo Competition.
The roadeo events are sponsored by North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association, the Division of Motor Vehicles and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Transportation Services Section.
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