This past weekend Westerville City Schools once again made a strong showing at the Central Region Road-E-O and brought home some hardware to prove it. Overall 7th place winner was Gary Case, an alternate for the State contest on May 18. Taking overall 9th place was Cindy Russell, who will also serve as a State competition alternate. The First Place Team members (collective score) were Westerville drivers Gary Case, Debbie Diller, Cindy Russell and Steve Smith. The third place team also hailed from Westerville City Schools -- Rafael Guigni, John Holmes, Shelly Smith and Shirley Timberlake.
In total, there were 61 participants representing 10 districts and contractors from across central Ohio. Fourteen of these contestants were from Westerville, making Westerville the most represented school district. Westerville City Schools was also represented by 10 employees who volunteered to be judges, score keepers, and test proctors.
School bus drivers throughout Ohio participate in regional Road-E-O competitions each May, designed to test and increase their operational and safety skills. Top participants at each regional Road-E-O move on to compete at the state-level competition. Participants who score 80 percent or more of the total possible points at a regional or state competition may use that event toward their six-year recertification.
The regional Road-E-O is scheduled for the first Saturday in May. The top six drivers at each regional contest qualify to compete at the State Road-E-O, which is held on the third Saturday in May. Winners from the State go on to an international event in July. This year’s regional Road-E-O was hosted by South-Western City Schools at the South Western Career Academy.