Lots of school systems are interested in hiring and training new
school bus drivers. I have some history as a driver, and I have done
some training for school bus drivers. My father and I had a small
fleet of school buses that we contracted to Perry Township in the
1960s. I began driving and training during that time.
I moved to Southern California and worked for a large school
bus contractor in their training department. That led me to a commercial
driving school back in Indianapolis.
Several years later, after retiring from my own small industrial
supply business, I again drove a school bus for Beech Grove City
Schools. I also was involved with their training program. I have also
worked on occasion with a fellow that provides training for school
bus driver trainers. His programs really support and provide training
for folks that are training and assisting new school bus drivers. I’m
going to contact him soon and tell him a couple of special stories.
I started my school bus driving experience about one month
after I turned the legal age of 21. I had a Southport high school and
junior high route and an Edgewood Grade School one.
Several years ago, I reconnected with a lady that rode my bus
to Edgewood Grade School during my first few years as a driver.
We met at an Edgewood Grade School reunion and have stayed
connected through social media. Last week we got together for a
special lunch.
Kathleen Shaul-Hash, her brother Steve Hash and Lisa McDaniel-
Roberts and I sat down together at Shallos, and I really enjoyed
it. All three of them had ridden with me to Edgewood Grade School.
We shared so many wonderful stories. Kathleen is now a retired
attorney. Steve told a story about him being bitten by a tick and all
the hospital recovery time. I was shocked and then amazed.
Lisa McDaniel-Roberts is the daughter of Southport High
School’s legendary teacher and coach, Chauncey McDaniel. She is
a retired teacher. At some point, Lisa handed out some home-made
gifts and then she handed me a small book. I looked at the cover
and it is titled, Chauncism’s.
She explained that she and her siblings had put this book
together. On page three it said, “Chauncism’s is a compilation of
some of the often-repeated quotes heard from Daddy during our
formative years”. A couple are posted at the bottom of this article.
I’ve known these three former school bus riders for a little over
60 years. I drove them to school for three years. Kathleen and
Steve picked me up to go to lunch. It was their turn to drive me
someplace.
I have also been in contact with another young lady that I met
while driving her to school at Beech Grove. She was in the first
grade. She assisted me for a few years later with younger students
and we have stayed connected throughout her Beech Grove
School years and her college years.
She now is an attorney and living in Florida. I feel so honored to
have followed her through her school years and stayed connected.
I saw a few weeks ago that she was engaged. She showed a photo
of her engagement ring.
I sent her a note of congratulations. She sent me a short
response and it brought tears to my eyes. I was both shocked and
honored. I can’t wait to see her the next time she is back home in
Indiana.
A couple of Chauncism’s:
“There is no way you can change what has been done or said in
the past. You can only change the future.”
“Let every defeat be a victory. You should learn from defeat.”
Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad
of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and
a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools. He can be reached
through email at fdshonk@aol.com.