Northshore School District bus drivers take top spot at Washington state competition

Published 3:57 pm Friday, June 27, 2014

Northshore School District bus drivers took the top spots at the Washington State Pupil Transportation Safety Competition in Yakima and will compete at the national level next month. Tracey Rachuy and Melanie Nelson drove safely to a first and second place finish at the state level, which earns them the opportunity to represent Washington State at the 44th School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Charleston, S.C. on July 19-20. Northshore Special Service Team, comprised of Cindi Gunderson and Michelle Chapman, placed fifth at the state level.

The annual competition is meant to promote safety and fun while evaluating a driver’s ability to precisely drive a school bus through an obstacle course in a controlled manner. Top bus drivers from each state are chosen to compete in the International Safety Competition (Roadeo). They are scored on different challenges such as parallel parking, backing around a corner and maneuvering tight turns.