Dave Culver demonstrated his driving skills at a state competition held in July. He found a unique spot to display his trophies. He now expects to compete at the national level. Submitted photo.

Local school bus driver places first in state competition

Dave Culver, school bus driver for the Byron-Bergen Central School District, placed first in the New York state at the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) sponsored skills competition held in Albany on July 10. NYAPT sponsors the yearly event to test the technical skills and knowledge of drivers and to recognize excellence.

Culver said he learned about the school bus safety Road-eo two years ago from a fellow bus driver, Gene Ehrmentraut, from Churchville. Using his own personal van, he began practicing with Ehrmentraut at Churchville's course and at the Fairport Central School District. He built a course at the Byron-Bergen transportation facility. Last year, Culver placed second in the Greater Rochester Road-eo and 12th at states.

On June 12 of this year, Dave competed again and placed second in the Rochester Road-eo which qualified him to compete at the state level. "I was one of the last drivers to go out on the course, but was determined to do my best to represent Byron-Bergen," Culver said. "Thank goodness for my wife, Stacy, who supported me throughout all the long hours of training." … "I remember last year, my Dad, Earl Culver, telling me when I came home in 12th place that I was his champion anyway, and I told him I would try to win in 2004. My dad died ten days later and that made me even more determined to win at the state level."

Culver won the state championship with an overall score of 93.50 out of 110 points. Scoring was based on skills such as picking up and dropping off of a child, railroad crossings, 50-foot straight line, right hand turn, diminishing clearance, backing up an alley and a written test. He won overall honors in the conventional, transit and van divisions receiving the Clarence J. Geiger New York State trophy. He dedicated the state trophy to his father Earl, son Nick, and to all the children at Byron-Bergen.