Peggy Revell
He’s greeted students with a smile every school morning for the past 45 years, and last week Sonny Ferris was recognized with the Rainy River District School Board’s “School Bus Driver of the Year” award.
“It’s difficult to pick a bus driver of the year,” Donna Lee, the board’s transportation officer, noted as she announced Ferris as this year’s recipient during last Tuesday night’s meeting.
“I’m sure you’re all aware of the task that they have every day, and I respect all of them,” she stressed.
“[Ferris’] daily route begins at Clearwater Lake, where he transfers Fort Frances High School students to Lampi Road and Highway 71, and then he goes back to Clearwater and transports elementary students to Sturgeon Creek School,” Lee outlined.
“Sonny travels an estimated 280 kilometres a day.
“There will be those that remember Sonny for his ability to overcome the odds, whether it was fixing the bus on the side of the road with a little haywire or making his way through the back roads in spite of the conditions,” Lee added.
“Sonny has always gotten students to and from school safely.”
Lee said Ferris is known for his broad smile and easy-going nature.
“Students, parents, and principals alike have appreciated working with him as he is accommodating and cordial,” she remarked.
“Like the buses that Sonny has driven over the years, many things have changed in education. But there’s some things that remain the same: students can count on a cheerful smile and a warm welcome when they get on Sonny’s bus, just as they did in 1964.
“As well, Sonny still roots for the Habs, even though they haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1993.
“Rumour has it that Sonny only plans on retiring when the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup, so we may see him driving the bus for a while yet,” Lee joked.
“We had a strange winter didn’t we?” Ferris recounted when accepting the award, pointing out that this past winter was the first time in his 45 years where he had been called midway through the day to be told that the school buses weren’t bringing the students home due to the weather.
His very first bus was a 1964 Chevy half-ton van that cost him $29 per month, and came with no windows in the back, just one heater in the front, and wooden seats.
“It’s been quite a journey, it’s been a blessing,” Ferris added, thanking the board for the award.
“I’ve been able to haul my own children to school, that’s pretty nice, eh? But now I’m hauling my grandchildren to school, isn’t that something?
“I’d best quit before I’m hauling great-grandchildren!” he laughed.
Volunteers saluted
Also at last Tuesday’s meeting, Paul Noonan, Shauna-Leigh Carlson, and Gary Parker were recognized for their dedication as board volunteers.
“This has been a very difficult decision for the board because our schools are rich with the generous contributions of volunteers throughout the year,” Diane Ross, the board’s manager of human resources, said when announcing the recipients.
“Volunteers touch the lives of staff, but especially students everyday at our schools,” she noted.
“These wonderful community friends bring smiles, support, talents, and time to all our schools,” Ross continued. “From lunch and reading programs, head lice checks, after-school activities, field trips, Christmas parties, fundraising events, volunteers raise their hands and say, ‘Pick me, I want to help.’
“Volunteers don’t just give their time, they give their hearts, and their heart is shown over and over again by unconditionally caring about students every time that they see them,” she remarked.
“The board truly recognizes and appreciates all the efforts from volunteers in each and all of our schools, not only this year but next year, too.
“Our gratitude for their generosity is not just reserved for tonight, but extends to each day of the school year,” Ross stressed.
Carlson was nominated by Robert Moore School.
“Shauna has been volunteering with the Robert Moore School “Healthy Snack” program for the past four years, where she co-ordinated and organized this program,” explained Ross.
“In the words of the principal, Shauna is a really, really important person to this program. She contributed to the application process for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario anti-poverty initiative and continues to seek ongoing additional funding to support this healthy snack program.
“She is behind earning lots and lots of money for this program,” Ross noted. “She partners with the TD Bank in preparing muffins for the school, and [with] the health access centre on Couchiching.”
Ross said Carlson also plans the snack menus, orders all the needed food, works with all the canteen workers, and then “disappears and it happens—everyone’s all lined up and all the food is there.”
Noonan, meanwhile, was recognized for his volunteer efforts over the past 15 years as the Muskie senior boys’ basketball coach.
“His leadership has contributed towards the successful achievement of numerous awards, NorWOSSA championships, and, in 2001, he took the Muskie team to OFSAA,” Ross cited.
“Though awards may be an example of success, the real recognition is to say thank you for taking the time for basketball practice.”
Every year from mid-November to early March, Noonan has volunteered his time to lead 90-minute practices four days a week, Ross noted, as well as day trips to Kenora or Dryden for league games and weekends spent attending tournaments and exhibition games.
“If we could count the number of students who stand behind this nomination, the list would go back 15 years and the line would be way out the door from Robert Moore, down Second Street and Scott Street, and probably outside of town,” Ross said.
Parker was saluted for his volunteer work with the North Star Community School in Atikokan.
“[Parker] has been a consistent, reliable, and friendly volunteer at North Star Community School for several years,” noted Ross. “Each Tuesday and Thursday, [the school] could count on Gary to manage the lunch program.
“He’s always been seen for brunches at Thanksgiving and Easter, and he never leaves until the last dish is washed.”
Parker also was recognized for his support with the school’s Christmas activities.
“He continues to leave lasting smiles on the children and staff at North Star School,” Ross said.
