From playing with a red plastic school bus with no wheels as a little girl, to driving a big yellow school bus for the South Pike School District, Mary Hayes has dedicated a huge chunk of her life providing safe transport to children.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Hayes was voted Best Bus Driver in the Enterprise-Journal’s 2023 Education Awards, in which website visitors honored the dedication of local teachers, principals and other school employees.
Hayes said she was surprised to win.
“I’m thrilled,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to win, so it wasn’t something I was focusing on. But it feels great, and I’m happy the kids and everyone took it seriously and voted for me. I am thankful.”
With 38 years of bus driving experience under her belt, Hayes has served the school district in other ways.
She also is a substitute teacher for South Pike.
“I used to be the school’s custodian, but I switched to substitute. I teach whatever they need me to teach,” she said.
Hayes’ husband died three years ago this May. She said her four children and the kids on her bus help her get through her days.
“My husband died of heart trouble,” she said. “But these kids help me through my tough days. Seriously, I love them. They keep me on my toes.
“One of my many nicknames is ‘Mama Hayes.’ They are all my babies.”
In second place in the Best Bus Driver category is Nolan Alexander, who drives a school bus for North Pike.
“It’s great!” he said. “Just knowing people are thinking of you in a positive way and that you deserve an award like this is just great.”
Alexander lives in Summit with his wife Pam and they have two daughters. Prior to becoming a bus driver, Alexander worked at Kroger for 41 years.
“I retired at 62, but I love to stay busy,” he said. “I would speak to a regular customer about retiring, and how I didn’t want to just sit around and he just so happened to be the director of transportation for North Pike at the time. He told me to apply to be a bus driver. I did, and I’ve been doing just that for the last five years.”
Alexander is transporting junior high school kids this year, and said he has watched a few of them grow up over the course of his five years behind the wheel.
“I’ve had some kids on my bus from when I drove the upper elementary kids. I enjoy watching them grow up, and it’s extra nice when they still remember your name,” he said.
When Alexander pulls up to the school and watches as the kids walk down the stairs of the school bus, he gives them a few uplifting words to start their day off right.
“I like to tell them to have a good day,” he said. “It can be tough having to wake up so early, and the kids are probably tired and groggy, so I want to leave them with some words of encouragement.”
Aside from transportation, Alexander cuts yards to stay busy.
“I’m a workaholic,” he said. “I keep busy driving the school bus, cutting yards and enjoying my five grandkids.”
