DESCRIPTION: GRAVES BUS DRIVER TO BE HONORED STATEWIDE - Graves County Schools bus driver Johnny Myers has been named one of four finalists for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators' inaugural "Fred Award." The award's name comes from writer Mark Sanborn's book The Fred Factor. It honors school staff members who provide exceptional service. A statewide judging panel chose the finalists from a pool of 40 applicants representing districts across Kentucky. The four will be recognized at the annual KASA conference in Louisville July 18. A KASA video crew recently visited Farmington Elementary School to tape interviews and activities related to the award. During the taping Myers posed for this photo with students from his regular bus routes.

(Photo by Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools)   Graves County Schools bus driver Johnny Myers has been named one of four finalists for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators' inaugural "Fred Award."  

The award's name comes from inspirational writer Mark Sanborn's book The Fred Factor. In it, he describes the exceptional customer service his postal carrier, Fred Shea, displayed on his route, which included Sanborn's home.  

Sanborn, via video transmission, will join Shea in presenting the award at KASA's 39th annual conference in Louisville July 18. The four finalists each will receive a plaque and the winner will receive a $500 gift to donate to the school program of his or her choice.  

|An independent, statewide judging panel chose Myers and three others from a pool of 40 applicants representing districts across Kentucky.  

In nominating Myers, guidance counselor Liz Conklin wrote that on his Farmington bus route he "constantly displays a warm attitude and a genuine concern about the well-being of each student." The nomination went on to say that "several students have expressed interest in a future career as a bus driver so they can be just like Mr. Johnny."  

Principal Denise Whitaker calls him "a very positive mentor and friend to our students." She said, "He is a father-figure and cares for every child like his own. He truly loves them and wants to make a life-long connection with each child.  He is an amazing bus driver, but he also volunteers weekly as a reading coach and volunteers to drive for our farming club and helps with their activities. Our students know Mr. Johnny believes in them and this is exactly what they need."  

The district's transportation department chose Myers as its "Fred Award" winner when the honor was initiated at the start of the current school year. Transportation director Bobby Galloway said, "We called him late one night when the child of the parent who was driving the soccer bus got hurt at the game and needed to go the hospital. That left the rest of the team with no driver. Johnny, without hesitation, jumped on his bus and went to Murray to bring the rest of the team home. The next day he told us not to pay him. He said that he was just glad to help out."  

"Our district has chosen to focus specifically on customer service and relationship-building this year," said Assistant Superintendent Pete Galloway, "and Johnny Myers is one of our primary role models for this project. We are so proud of him for his attitude and efforts and we're so happy that KASA, a statewide organization, has joined us in recognizing what a difference he makes in the lives of children every day."