Rock Hill school bus driver of 31 years recognized as S.C. Driver of the Year

Pearlie Abel has logged enough miles in her 31 years as a Rock Hill school bus driver to circle the Earth nearly 16 times.

Her dedication to the district, the students and her profession earned her a special recognition last week as the South Carolina School Bus Driver of the Year.

Her supervisor, school district Transportation Director Bernard Gill, called Abel an inspiration.

She “contributes a lot to the department and is always pleasant, and has a great attitude,” he said.

Abel has worked for Rock Hill School District Three since 1984 and is president of the district’s bus driver committee.

Her recent award came from the South Carolina Association for Pupil Transportation.

Abel said she was surprised by the recognition last week during the group’s annual conference in Myrtle Beach.

School district officials said Monday that Abel hasn’t missed a day of work in the past five years. In her career, she’s driven students to and from school on more than 430 bus routes, logging more than 375,000 miles.

Abel’s experience means she can drive all the district bus routes without even needing a map or directions. She helps the school district develop and change routes, she works at night to transport students home from Phoenix Academy and she trains new drivers.

Bus drivers like Abel are the first district employees that nearly 8,000 Rock Hill students see every school day morning, said Superintendent Kelly Pew.

Abel’s “dedication to the children of Rock Hill schools is a shining example that we can all learn from,” Pew said.

“She is most deserving of this honor and one which we can all celebrate with her.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2015 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Rock Hill school bus driver of 31 years recognized as S.C. Driver of the Year."