NASHVILLE -- Ann Sherrod has been named Bus Driver of the Year for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools.
This is the first year the school district has presented the award. Sherrod hauls students attending Southern Nash Middle School and Southern Nash High School.
Drivers were nominated by their peers.
Sherrod received a plaque and a permanent plaque will hang in the district's transportation office listing each Driver of the Year award recipient.
Sherrod has been a driver since 1987. She was commended not only for her driving skill, but also for her caring compassion for students and colleagues.
"Ann Sherrod is a professional school bus driver with a passion for transporting students," Binford Sloan, the school district's transportation director said. "She is a driver who has always been an advocate for our students. Ann strives to be a mentor for other bus drivers assisting them anyway she can."
The award was presented during the annual recognition luncheon. Also honored during the luncheon were the top drivers in the 2008 Road-E-O competition sponsored by the district and the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles School Bus & Traffic Safety Section.
The drivers test their skills in the areas of laws and regulations, school bus pre-trip inspections and basic driving skill maneuvers.
Bonnie Lanier of Hubbard Elementary took first place with a perfect score. Theresa Strickland of Red Oak Middle took second place. She also received a perfect score. The tie was broken by the stop line competition. Third place went to Cecilia Tharrington of Spring Hope Elementary.