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| Steve Kreuscher says a name change will be his latest work of art. |
ZION, Ill. (May 9, 2008) — Even if a judge grants his request to change his name to "In God We Trust," Steve Kreuscher says most of the first and second grade students on his school bus still greet him as his Nickelodeon namesake "Spongebob."
Kreuscher, a 19-year special needs driver and artist, will appear in court next month to have his first name changed to "In God" and his last name changed to "We Trust." Kreuscher said the request reflects who he is and his conversion to Christianity "a million times better" than his birth name does.
"Changing my name to ‘In God We Trust’ is my newest creative artwork, painted not with paint, but instead with those beautiful, powerful and meaningful words, on the canvas of my life," he said.
Like many drivers, the father of four and grandfather of five says his favorite part of the job is starting children’s days with a smile. He says he’s even been known to get on the radio and greet everyone with his weekly salutation: "Bus 151 is 10/8 [on duty]. Good Morning! Thank God it’s Monday!"
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| One of Kreuscher's paintings |
Kreuscher said he doesn’t talk to the children or their parents about changing his name. His fellow drivers and managers either don’t comment on what he is doing or respect his privacy, even if some say it is extreme. If the judge grants the request, people can still call him ‘Steve’ or ‘Steve K’ or even ‘Spongebob’ if they don’t feel comfortable with his new name, he added.
"But, in my heart, I will always feel I am 'In God We Trust' if the judge approves it, and it will be my signature on my artwork from then on, and those two things will make me the happiest man in the world," he said.
