Local bus drivers spent Thursday morning brushing up on their skills to get ready for the new school year as part of the Randolph County Schools Bus Rodeo.
"This is a great way for the drivers to become acclimated to driving a bus after a two-month vacation," said Alan Weiford, who plans the bus rodeo. "The drivers have the opportunity to get back into the swing of things in a friendly competition."
Drivers competed in 10 skills, including pre-trip inspection, stopping on a line, curb-line parking, making left turns, backing up and parking, diminishing alley, serpentine driving, off-set alley maneuver, pupil pickup and railroad crossing.
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Christian Broschart
Randolph County Schools bus operator Bill Armentrout demonstrates his ability to maneuver a school bus through an alley Thursday during the Randolph County Bus Rodeo. Participants drove their buses through a battery of complicated turns, stops and situations that tested their skills. The contest is used to reacclimate drivers to their buses after the summer break.
Points were awarded in each skill category, for a possible total of 550.
First place was awarded to Jimmy Harman with 460 points, Mike Bennett earned second place with 445 points and Donnie Pritt came in third with 420 points.
Metheny Motors donated the prize for first place, Select In Home Services sponsored the prize for second place and Bill's Auto donated the third-place prize.
Winners from the local bus rodeo can compete at the state bus rodeo in June.
"We (the bus drivers) want to remind everyone that school begins on Monday, and we want to remind everyone to watch out for the kids both in the morning and evenings," Weiford said. "Drivers are not used to buses on the road due to the summer break, and we want to remind everyone to be safe."
