RICHMOND COUNTY — A total of 33 of the state’s top school bus drivers gathered at the N.C. State Fairgrounds to compete in the State School Bus ROADeo, with Richmond County Schools driver Laura Gillespie placing fourth.
During the competition, drivers navigated school buses through an obstacle course designed to test their ability to safely maneuver and operate their vehicles. Competitors also completed a written examination.
The competition’s winners were:
• First place: Jorge Ubior Rosado, Wake County Public School System
• Second place: Clay Fogleman, Wake County Public School System
• Third place: Chris Owens, Sampson County Schools
• Fourth place: Laura Gillespie, Richmond County Schools
Gillespie and the other winners will advance to the 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, scheduled for June 27-28 in Austin, Texas.
North Carolina Public Schools thanked both the competitors and school bus drivers across the state for their commitment to student safety.
“Thank you to all the school bus drivers who competed. To every school bus driver across North Carolina — we’re so grateful for the work you do every day to keep our students safe,” read a post made on social media.