Richard White beat out six peers earlier this week in winning the inaugural Virginia's "BEST" School Bus Technician Competition.

The York County Public Schools employee received a trophy, $100 and the chance to compete for the national prize at the seventh annual America's Best School Bus Technician Training and School Bus Inspector Training and Skills Competition presented by NAPT. This year's competition is held Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the Jasper Engines & Transmissions plant in Jasper, Ind.

The Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation organized the state's first qualifier competition on April 7, and school bus dealer Sonny Merryman, Inc., hosted the event. The Virginia Department of Education and Kingmor Supply also assisted.

"We are extremely excited to have had such a successful inaugural contest," said Bob Clinebell, the fleet manager at Virginia Beach Public Schools and VAPT's organizing chair for the competition. "Virginia has exceptionally talented and professionally-minded school bus technicians, so we are thrilled to have a format for recognizing these dedicated individuals."

The event consisted of both a school bus technical knowledge written exam and a hands-on diagnostic and troubleshooting exercise, a format similar to the America's Best Competition.

Bill Alsko of Hopewell Public Schools finished in second place and Kevin Hubble of Newport News Public Schools finished in third. Both received $50 cash prizes. Other technician participants were: Ken Yohe, Bath County; Andy Sherrer, Chesterfield County; Aaron McKimmey, Loudon County; and Paul Townsend, Buckingham County.