Aycock bus driver wins county school's bus rodeo
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 13, 2006 1:45 PM
From staff reports
James Jones, a bus driver for Charles B Aycock High School, won Tuesday's School Bus Rodeo sponsored by the Wayne County Public Schools. After mastering the challenging obstacle course and being awarded the first-place trophy, he moves on to compete at the upcoming district competition in Clinton.
The annual contest gives drivers a chance to showcase their driving and safety skills by maneuvering through a challenging course. Eighteen drivers from across the county participated in this year's event, which was held in the Berkeley Mall parking lot.
James Shepard, a driver for Tommy's Road Elementary School, finished second in the competition. Richard Custer, a driver for Grantham School, was third. They are also eligible to compete at the district level competition.
Last year's bus rodeo winner, Jimmy Artis, a driver for Northwest Elementary, finished a fourth in this year's competition. Alfie Barnes, a driver for Edgewood School, finished fifth.
Ricky Carter, the school system's assistant director of transportation, said the competition gives drivers a chance to shine.
"The rodeo really shows that we have many fine school bus drivers in our county," he said.
The event is also a fun way for the school system to stress the importance of school bus safety, Carter said.
This year's competition was sponsored by the Board of Education, and judged by representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles.