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EXPO SPOTLIGHT


J.R. Martinez to Share Inspirational Life Story at 2012 STN EXPO


By Sylvia Arroyo


the Hollywood rounds on a tight schedule, his casual tone sig- naled he had all the time in the world to talk — especially about his experience riding the school bus during elementary school and middle school. He spoke openly as he transported himself back to those days


J.R.


of riding the bus, joking with his friends and being greeted by the school bus driver, whose first name escaped him at the moment but whose actions he never forgot. “Turner was his last name, I think,” said the Iraq War veteran, actor, winner of season 13 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and,


26 School Transportation News Magazine April 2012


Martinez called as he was heading to the studios of “Te Price Is Right,” with his next stop an interview on the entertainment news program “Extra.” Tough he was doing


oh yes, keynote presenter of the upcoming STN EXPO in Reno. Martinez’s compelling personal story of triumph and new be-


ginnings — as well as his dancing skills — has captured the hearts of millions. He told me though he was never really bullied as a student, he did find himself in a pickle one day. Luckily, “Turner” was there to lend a helping hand. “One day after school, I was dropped off at my stop, which was


a couple of blocks from home and on a lonely road. Tese two guys appeared and wanted to start a fight with me. Te bus driv- er saw this, got off the bus — he didn’t have any students in the bus — and had them leave me alone,” he said. “[Te driver] then watched me walk home before he took off. He saved my butt.” We can speculate that “Turner” might have thought he was just doing his job, but his actions left a positive, lasting impression


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