GGUSD Bus Drivers Ride Away with Top Awards

Several bus drivers and GGUSD administrators displaying awards and trophies won.

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) bus drivers were recognized at the May 1 Board of Education meeting for their success in the 2018 Bus Roadeo, a regional competition that tests drivers’ knowledge and abilities in safe bus driving.   

The competition was hosted by the Driver Trainer Advisory Council (DTAC) and CASTO (California Association of Transportation Officials).  Representatives from DTAC attended the board meeting to present GGUSD Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation Director Javier Rodriguez and the bus drivers with a trophy for the best represented district in the Bus Roadeo.

“Our bus drivers are tasked with delivering the most precious cargo in GGUSD - our students,”  said Lan Nguyen, Board of Education vice president. “Their dedication and passion are unmatched and their exceptional safe driving skills ensure that students receive a safe ride to and from school each day.”

GGUSD bus drivers swept the competition in both team and individual events and Jose Navarro scored a perfect 100 on the overall written test, a rare feat. Contestants participated in written and driving performance tests, including an obstacle course that proved safe maneuverability as well as tests that examined parallel parking and backing up skills. 

The 2018 Bus Roadeo was a festive event with music, student performances, and wonderful barbecue prepared by GGUSD’s Food Services Department.  GGUSD Board of Education trustees, staff and community members attended to cheer on the bus drivers who wore matching jerseys.

In individual competitions, GGUSD had a clean sweep as Kim Dailey took home the gold for placing first while Chrystal Brown, Jose Navarro, Rosa Del Rio De Rosas, and Sandy Obregon took silver for finishing in the top five. GGUSD also swept the team competition with the team of Kim Dailey, Rosa Del Rio De Rosas, and Sandy Obregon taking the gold for placing first in the Orange County competition.  The team of Eduardo Gonzales, David Hernandez, and Jose Hernandez, as well as the team of Chrystal Brown, Lucy Cali, and Gabby D’Angelo took silver with second and third place finishes respectively.