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JBSA News
NEWS | May 17, 2017

Randolph Field ISD bus driver honored as best in state

By Robert Goetz 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

When Randolph Field Independent School District bus driver Eddie Luna was asked to attend the school board’s March 30 session, he believed he was going to be honored as the district’s nominee for a bus driver of the year award.

The honor was much more than that.

Luna, a retired Air Force technical sergeant now in his second year as a RFISD bus driver, learned he had been named the 2016-17 Statewide Bus Driver of the Year by the Property Casualty Alliance of Texas.

“It was definitely a surprise,” he said. “I was speechless. I had no idea I would be selected as the statewide bus driver of the year.”

Luna was awarded a $1,000 check, a personalized jacket, a commendation and an engraved plaque from PCAT; the school district received a plaque commemorating Luna’s achievement.

Lance Johnson, RFISD superintendent, called Luna “a highly motivated individual who takes pride in everything he does.”

“His integrity as a person and his expertise as a driver make us proud to have him as part of our team,” he said. “His character and attitude are a great example for us all. We are blessed to have him work with our students.”

Luna, who has also served as a bus driver for the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, was one of 72 bus drivers honored by PCAT as their district’s bus driver of the year. PCAT also recognized seven regional bus drivers of the year. The statewide award is given to just one bus driver.

“It’s a pretty big accomplishment,” said Brandon Casey, RFISD director of transportation. “We competed with much larger school districts that have a lot more drivers. For a small district like ours, that’s really something.”

Casey, who wrote the nomination letter for Luna, said he learned of his bus driver’s award in late January, so he had to keep his secret for two months. He said Luna’s military background keeps him attuned to the ups and downs of his students.

“He knows what these kids are going through when their parents are deployed,” Casey said.

Luna, who is married and has two children and five grandchildren, said he believes in safety first. He also said he is fortunate to work at the RFISD.

“It’s great to get up in the morning and want to come to work because of who you work for and who you work with,” he said.

Luna drives morning, mid-day and afternoon bus runs, serving primarily special-needs students. He said he tries to cheer the children up when he sees they need a little extra support.

“Being ex-military, I know what it was like for my children when I was deployed,” he said. “For these students, you have to have that special understanding because their parents may be overseas in harm’s way. It really hits me in the heart because I’ve been there before.”