SEL Transportation Receives High Honors at Regional Bus Rodeo

On Saturday, May 3rd, five representatives from SEL competed in the Regional School Bus Rodeo in Solon. The SEL team of experienced drivers included: Lee Heitman (Supervisor), Marquitta Fryer (Dispatcher/ Router), Helene Pinti (19 year veteran driver), Pam Hrouda (16 year veteran driver) and Dale Hoynacke (3 year driver). The competition began at 7:00 am and did not conclude until 4:00 pm. Eighty-six participants from around the North region of Ohio competed in a rigorous day of eight skill driving events, including railroad crossing, student pick up and drop off, and reverse serpentine. All participants also took a written hundred question test in a timed session of 1 hour. The test is on general knowledge from the Ohio pre-service manual and the Ohio Department of Education Pupil Transportation Guidelines. A pre and post trip test is also included.

Eight regions compete on the same day within the State of Ohio. Each region will have 12 placements. 7 drivers and 5 alternates based on their outstanding regional scores. The state competition will be held on May 17th, 2014 at Licking Heights High School, in Pataskala, Ohio.

Out of the 86 competitors, SEL will be sending two representatives and one alternate to the State School Bus Rodeo.

Ms. Pamela Hrouda placed 3rd for the North Region.
Mrs. Helene Pinti placed 5th for the North Region.
Mrs. Lee Heitman placed 11th for the North Region.

All of the SEL participants devoted several personal hours for training for this event. Congratulations to all of the participants!