Three Waterloo Central School District Transportation Department staff members will receive state-level recognition at the New York Association for Pupil Transportation’s annual awards banquet later this summer.

Rick Liesenring will receive an award for School Bus Driver of the Year. He has been recognized multiple times by the district as an Unsung Hero for being trusted by student passengers and their families. He forges deep connections with students, transporting them to and from school, on field trips, and to the Finger Lakes Technical & Career Center. He is also heavily involved in the community, serving institutions such as the local fire department and Seneca County.

“Rick has been a staple at the Waterloo Bus Garage for 37 years,” said D’Allah Laffoon, transportation supervisor at Waterloo CSD. “He has been a driver that staff have respected throughout his tenure. Rick's ability to work with students of various backgrounds has also been an asset to the community.”

Armin Winters and MaryAnn Bennett will be recognized with an award for School Bus Driver and Attendant/Monitor Team of the Year. As a team, they have nurtured a positive and strong culture on their bus that allows student passengers from three districts to thrive and feel welcomed. MaryAnn has taken classes in American Sign Language to better communicate with her passengers, while Armin is heavily involved in school activities, and has even assisted neighboring district’s athletic teams with transportation to their events.

“By being friendly, inviting, and caring, Armin and MaryAnn have had a lot of success in both safety and student engagement,” said Laffoon. “They have mentored drivers and monitors to do the same on their buses.”

Congratulations to Rick, Armin, and MaryAnn.