From left: John Fothergill talks to NAPT Executive Director Mike Martin about receiving the 2011 Blue Bird Heroism Award for evacuating Iowa students from a burning school bus earlier this year.

John Fothergill, a driver for Southeast Polk Community School District in Iowa, won the Blue Bird Heroism Award for safely evacuating 38 students before a fire erupted on the school bus on the first day of school.

It was during his last route that Fothergill smelled smoke coming from somewhere on the bus. “In about 10 to 12 minutes the bus was all gone,” he said.

Though he was appreciative of this award, Fothergill said he does not consider himself a hero.

“Like I told my boss, I just did my job,” he added.

Mike Connors of Brevard County (Fla.) Public Schools was named Administrator of the Year by School Bus Fleet magazine.

Mike Connors, transportation director at Brevard (Fla.) County Public Schools, received the Administrator of the Year Award. The 25-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force currently oversees 500-plus employees and manages a fleet of 400 buses.

He had a look of disbelief as he stepped onto the stage and accepted his award.

“I’m totally shocked,” he said. “I had no clue.”

Peter Lawrence, transportation director for the Fairport (N.Y.) Public Schools, received the NAPT Distinguished Service Award. He was introduced as someone who “steps up and steps out” in the school transportation industry. He and his wife Linda created a scholarship to cover conference fees for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend the NAPT Summit.

Lawrence is a long-time instructor of NAPT’s Professional Development Series curriculum and balances that with his current studies toward obtaining a doctorate degree at a local university.

Peter Lawrence, transportation director at Fairport (N.Y.) CSD, received the NAPT Distinguished Service Award.

“This is an award I’m receiving, but this is really your award,” Paul said as he looked out into the audience filled with transportation industry members. “You trusted me to write your stories.”

The next morning, additional awards were handed out during a breakfast session at the Duke Energy Center. Highlighted by Pete Meslin receiving the STN Leadership Award, Allen ISD in Texas was also honored with the IC Bus Safety Training Award, and the America's Best School Bus Inspector and School Bus Technician recipients were recognized.

Alan Fidler of Tippecanoe School Corporation in Lafayette, Ind., won the technician award and Jack Defibaugh of Greenbriar County Schools in Lewisburg, W.V., the inspector award, which are sponsored by Hydrotex and Zonar Systems, respectively. The skills and training competition was held in late September in San Antonio, Texas.

Additionally, Zonar Systems' Don Carnahan announced the company awarded eight technology grants of $50,000 each instead of just one grant as in the previous years. Those recipients were:

• Northshore School District, Bothell, Wash.
• Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker School District, Pigeon, Mich.
• Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, Schnecksville, Pa.
• Lewis Palmer School District, Monument, Colo.
• Zeeland Public Schools, Zeeland, Mich.
• Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City
• Provo City School District, Provo, Utah
• Alpine School District, American Fork, Utah