An Indian Lake Schools bus driver will be competing at the Ohio School Bus Driver Safety Road-E-O event in Columbus Saturday, May 4, at Hilliard Heritage Middle School.
Bus driver Amy Stevens qualified for the prestigious driving competition by earning sixth place overall in the West Region School Bus Safety Road-E-O at Indian Lake’s campus in April.
“It was exciting to qualify, but I’m kind of nervous to go to state since I wasn’t expecting it!” Stevens said.
Much like the regional event, she will have to complete a written exam and a driving test. She said the biggest challenge is that drivers do not compete in their own bus, but one of a different make and model that they only have a few minutes to become familiar with.
Amy drives Indian Lake Bus #13 daily, which is the bus that carries students with special needs. Outside of school, Stevens is also a member of the Lakeview, Huntsville and Wayne Township Fire Departments. She’s passionate about her jobs and her top priority is getting her passengers to school safely.
“I can put a bus in some pretty strange places and get it out, but I have an advantage because I also drive fire trucks,” she continued. “I love my job, love my route, love my kids.”
The state competitor credits all the Indian Lake bus drivers she has worked with over the years for giving her good advice to be successful in stressful situations out of the road.
Indian Lake Schools bus driver Amy Stevens is competing at the Ohio School Bus Driver Safety Road-E-O event in Columbus Saturday, May 4. (Indian Lake SCHOOLS PHOTO)