Two long-time school district bus drivers were honored as the Oneida School District “Employees of the Month” at the monthly meeting of the Oneida School Board on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.  Larry and Wendy Thomas have worked a total of 83 years as drivers of regular route, trip, kindergarten, after-school, and special education buses, ensuring that thousands of students have arrived at school and back home safely.

In describing the training Larry had to become a bus driver, Kelly Hill, Director of Transportation, said that Larry was asked to drive a bus around the block at the elementary school and then to take the bus for a drive, so Larry took his family to Logan to a movie and back.  That was Larry’s training back in 1981.

Kelly went on to report some calculations about Larry’s time as a driver. Larry has driven a bus for 44 years, which makes 7360 days of school, even accounting for the District going to a 4-day week in 2007. That is close to 600,000 miles of route driving, not counting field trips, sports trips, tournament trips, and other special trips, which would bring the total number of miles closer to 700,000. If there were 30 students on the bus each day, that makes 441,600 students that Larry has turned his back on and looked at through a mirror. 

Kelly then read from his letter of nomination that “Larry is always concerned about the safety of the kids and does what is best for them. It’s because of Larry’s dedication and concern for others that Oneida School District kids get to school safely every day.

“Some of Larry’s bus routes have been Deep Creek, Daniels (for many years), and now the Holbrook/Stone route for over 10 years. He told me he can’t believe how fast time has gone by. Larry then said, ‘Imagine how fast it would have gone if I had been having fun!’  Larry always has a sense of humor.” 

Kelly then read the following letter in support of Wendy’s nomination:

“Wendy Thomas was hired in 1985 as a relief driver until a route opened about five years later. Along with her full-time route, she took on a kindergarten route at noon until 2007 when the kindergarten routes ended. She has also driven the after-school program bus since that program began.

“We never worry if she will be there or not. She is never late, and things are always done. Wendy is very safety minded and always worries about the safety of the children, if this student is crossing the road safely, or if someone is at home when the little ones get there. She has put in nearly as many miles as Larry has because she has covered extra routes.

“For several years, Wendy drove the wheelchair bus, which is an added responsibility to see that a student in a wheelchair gets to and from school safely. For consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication to safety, outstanding customer service, a positive attitude behind the wheel, reliability, kindness, and commitment to our passengers, Wendy is a true asset to our school district.

“We are proud to recognize Larry and Wendy Thomas for going above and beyond to ensure the safe and comfortable transportation of our community’s students every day.”

Board member Tresie Carter added that her boys, who ride the Holbrooke/Stone bus with Larry every day, are always commenting on the things Larry does to make sure they are safe.

Kris Bingham, the secretary for the District Department of Transportation, added, “[Larry and Wendy] have been wonderful examples of what hardworking, honest, community service-oriented, and dedicated employees with integrity are and should be. [They are] always worrying about other fellow employees and the students they have served and rarely asking for a day off from their responsibilities. Oneida School District could not have been any luckier than to get these two wonderful people as employees.” 

Kris then read the poem “Ode to the School Bus Driver” by Mark Waldrop:

In the early hours when the weather sours,

A steadfast captain steers through showers.

The school bus driver, with a smile so wide,

Brings warmth as the day’s first light collides.

Through rain-slick streets, they chart the course,

Guiding their precious cargo with gentle force.

A little love goes such a long way

In their heart, where kindness does stay.

With every stop and every little wave,

They make a difference in the lives they save.

So here’s to the driver with the golden heart,

For whom every morning is a brand new start.

The hero of our streets so true--

Blessed are the children who ride with you. 

The Thomases received a copy of the “Starfish” poem, a restaurant gift card, and plaques to commemorate the honor.