Unit One bus driver recognized for quick action that helped student

Thanks to the quick actions of one Unit One Bus Driver a crisis concerning a young Jasper County student was averted.    Several weeks ago Gloria Bradley, a bus driver for Jasper Unit One for over 26 years, took quick actions and assisted a young student on her bus who was in crisis.

According to Bradley she was on her evening route with her last student on the bus.    She said that the youngster, who usually sits in the seat right behind the driver’s seat, came up to her.   She looked at him and asked what was wrong and immediately could tell that the child was choking.  With her quick thinking she stopped the bus and turned him over and started doing the Heimlich maneuver on him.  She said the first try didn’t work, but she did it again and the piece of hard candy ‘popped’ out.

“I was within one half mile from his home so I immediately took him to his parents and told them what had happened. They thanked me for all I did”

She added that the parents told her that the student had never had that happen before.

At the October meeting of Jasper Unit One School Board, although Bradley was unable to attend Roger Swick, Transportation Director for Jasper County CUSD #1, had informed the board members about the incident.

At that meeting, Board President Huddlestun read a certificate that was to be presented to Bradley on behalf of the Board and Superintendent Ron Alburtus, commending her on her quick thinking and dedication.

Wednesday, November 5th Bradley was presented a certificate of recognition from the Board of Education for their expression of gratitude and appreciation of her work as well as a letter from Superintendent Alburtus and the Board of Education. 

Following the presentation, Swick said,”I want to personally thank Gloria for the professional that she is, she takes her job seriously and has always done a good job for us.  We are lucky to have her and other bus drivers like her on our staff.”

Following this comment, Alburtus presented Bradley with the letter from him which he read.

“On behalf of the Jasper County CUSD #1 and the Board of Education, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your actions on our bus route in which you assisted a young child who was in crisis,” Alburtus said. 

“Your quick and effective reaction in using the Heimlich maneuver to help the child who was choking is worthy of recognition and thanks.  I realize your skills and quick response were most likely a result of your years of being a parent, and that’s just what you do.

“However, I just want you to know that it is reassuring to know that we have people like yourself in the district who care for children and do so above and beyond mere job expectations.”

Bradley modestly thanked the two for the certificate, letter and their kind words. 

She also said, “I was just doing what any bus driver would do if faced with that situation.   Every year before school starts we have to take a refresher course that the Jasper County Health Department or someone from the American Heart Association puts on for us on first aid and like a lot of the bus drivers I have always thought, why are we doing this again I will never have to use any of what we learn.   But now I am so thankful that we have to take it!”