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Children Can Honor Their Favorite Driver and Win a Laptop Computer in Annual ‘Driver of the Year’ Essay Contest

High Point, N.C. – Every day, yellow school buses perform a heroic achievement: they provide access to education for millions of children across the United States and Canada. They do this while maintaining a safety record unequalled in the transportation industry. By itself, the bus driver’s job of delivering students to and from school safely is an important one, yet some have found ways to go above and beyond on behalf of their young passengers. Thomas Built Buses, a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, wants to hear about those special drivers.

Does your driver help you feel safe on the bus? Does she know your name or start each day with a smile? Or encourage a spirit of sharing by organizing food, toy or book drives? Does he celebrate special occasions?

These are just a few examples of heartwarming and meaningful actions of previous “Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year” winners in the annual essay contest sponsored by Thomas Built Buses.

“Getting students safely to school and home again is a school bus driver’s primary responsibility. Many drivers do this and go the extra mile,” says Kelley Platt, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “The essay contest lets us hear directly from children whose bus drivers have made a meaningful impact in their lives by being role models, champions, mentors and friends.”

Over the years Thomas Built has received thousands of heartfelt essays, from children across the U.S. and Canada, sharing stories of bus drivers’ compassion and extraordinary actions that help make their day brighter.

Now in its eighth year, students in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to submit essays of at least 90 and no more than 200 words to nominate their favorite school bus drivers. Students can describe just what makes their drivers so special. The winning essays will be featured on the Thomas Built website when the judging is complete.

Entries must be postmarked by May 31, 2013. The child who nominates the grand prize winner will receive a laptop computer, and the nominated driver will receive a $1,000 Visa® gift card. Grand prize winners and top finalists also will receive Thomas Built Buses jackets. Winners will be announced on the website by September 16. To enter the contest, visit www.thomasbus.com/contest for complete rules and an entry form.

Completed forms and typed or legibly printed essays should be mailed to: Children’s Choice Essay Contest, HMH, 1435 W. Morehead St., Suite 140, Charlotte, NC 28208.

To nominate your driver for School Bus Driver of the Year, visit www.thomasbus.com/contest for complete rules and an entry form.

About Thomas Built Buses

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at www.ThomasBus.com or at www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC , the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.