EDITORIAL DESK I started off 2009 with an article that led to similarly-themed stories throughout the year focus-


ing on the leadership that exists at any number of levels in this industry. Until a few days ago, I was still trying to come up with what topic would start off 2010, until I was looking for some photos to go along with an article in the January issue. While scrolling through a blog written by Fairport, N.Y. Transportation Director Peter Lawrence,


Putting the Team First


By Stephane Babcock


I came across a link in a post entitled, “Great Video to Start out the School Year!” In it, Peter in- cluded a link to a video on two Cleveland High School wrestlers who were a team on and off the mat (www.stnonline.com/go/391). Both were seniors at the time of the interviews, both loved being on the wrestling team and both lived their lives with disabilities. When he was 11 years old, Leroy Sutton lost his legs to a freight train when his backpack was caught by one of the passing cars. His teammate and “brother” Dartanyon Crockett is legally blind due to being born with Leber’s disease, a condition that causes acute visual loss. Te two were inseparable in school, at matches and during their time outside of classes. Tis


bond was further strengthened the first day Dartanyon carried Leroy on his back. From then on, in and out of the bus rides to matches, in and out of every gymnasium, and during the playing of the national anthem at events, Dartanyon would carry Leroy on his back. Tey were a menacing pair as they psyched themselves up for matches and intimidated the opposing team. Tey sat on the edge of the mat and watched each other’s matches. Dartanyon ended the season as the league champion in his weight class. And although the matches were more difficult for Leroy, every win was just as satisfying. Both left their opponents with a new level of respect for them and anyone with a disability. Beyond their physical challenges, Leroy and Dartanyon faced obstacles all around them. Teir


school has a graduation rate of only about 40 percent. Dartanyon lost his mother when he was only eight and moved in with his father, who was wrestling with an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Trough all this and much more, both have persevered, even walking together on graduation day, this time side by side, with Leroy moving on a new pair of prosthetic legs. Teir story is both emotional and inspiring. It gives you a true sense of what a team should be. It


shows you what is possible. While many of us have never had to struggle with similar conditions, the theme of the story,


the importance of teamwork and what it can accomplish, is universal. With the economy forcing the majority of us to pinch pennies even more (or some for the first time), it is important to show your team your worth. Show your school administration how valuable each and every component of your team is. By quietly running plays and reaching your goals with little fanfare, the budgetary decision-makers are left in the dark on the importance of school transportation and its worth, which goes beyond dollars and cents at the end of each fiscal year. Aside from the fuel saved and the emissions reduced by taking more cars off the road, there


are the lives of students that could be saved by a simple bus ride. Whether it be a busy street or a dangerous neighborhood, the school bus keeps children safe and secure before and after each and every school day. Te hype of mass media and the spotlight it throws on school bus crashes does not help the


cause. Although nine out of 10 times the fault lies on someone else’s shoulders, it is the mere fact that a school bus was in a crash that garners the most attention. Never mind that few if any of the students require medical attention because of the protection afforded by the yellow bus, or that the bus driver was able to keep the crash from being more damaging because of the training they received. Tis industry, this team, has many levels and many players, and each one plays both offensive and


defensive positions each and every day. Never be afraid to celebrate your wins or look to your team- mates when you need a hand. It is this strength, this community spirit that will drive us through the tough playing field that the country has been given, and beyond.


To find out more about Leroy and Dartanyon, visit www.carryontrust.org.


58 School Transportation News Magazine January 2010


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