Cherokee Bus Drivers Win National Competition

Two Cherokee County School District bus drivers took first place in a nationwide special needs school bus competition.

Drivers Rhonda Fiddler and Susan Nulph both placed first in the 17th Annual National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo, which was held on March 1 in Nashville.

The competition is part of the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers Conference and Trade Show, which is held each year.  

Drivers' skills are put to the test through procedures such as pre-check; loading and unloading an occupied wheelchair; securing students in wheelchairs and safety vests; performance during an emergency; and managing challenging student behavior.   

The duo won second place last year in the competition.

“We appreciate the professional manner in which they represent CCSD in their daily job,” school district Transportation Director Ken Johnson said, adding the district has won the state competition five out of the last six years, and Fiddler has been a part of each of those teams. “Thanks to Susan and Rhonda for a job well done.”