Crosslake celebrates bus drivers

In darkness and daylight, on dirt roads and multi-lane highways, from warm spring days to frigid winters, Minnesota school bus drivers safely transport more than 760,000 students to and from school each day.

To honor this important profession, Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed Wednesday, Feb. 22, the first-ever School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in Minnesota.

Crosslake Community School took that opportunity to recognize the drivers dedicated to safely transporting students to school every day.

When the buses pulled up to school that Wednesday, students climbed off and rushed to get cards and gifts for their drivers. Todd Lyscio, the school's executive director, read Dayton's proclamation explaining how vital bus drivers are to the Minnesota community.

The four Crosslake drivers - Julie Riley, Jadell Hathaway, Roxie Roberts and Dick Ulrich - received much applause.

1/2: Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal Crosslake Community School student Jamie Tappe greets bus driver Julie Riley with a big hug on Minnesota's first-ever School Bus Driver Appreciation Day Wednesday, Feb. 22.

2/2: Theresa Bourke/Echo Journal Crosslake student Emily Billman hands bus driver Dick Ulrich a gift of chocolates on Bus Driver Appreciation Day Wednesday, Feb. 22.