First Student Driver Receives Top Honor from Alaska Head Start Association

March 29, 2017 - Anchorage, Alaska - A First Student driver is recognized for her outstanding service to the students she transports. The Alaska Head Start Association (AHSA) recently named Jasmine Dirkes its Bus Driver of the Year.

Dirkes has been a school bus driver for First Student since 2013. She also serves as operations supervisor and is responsible for the overall performance of the company's Anchorage location.

AHSA honored Dirkes for her commitment to the program. Her location provides safe and reliable transportation to more than 600 Head Start children and families. Dirkes prides herself in knowing all of their names, which is one of the ways she works to create the best start and finish to the school day.

"Jasmine is most deserving of this special recognition," said First Student Area General Manager Bill Noftz. "Her commitment to the children she transports, the customer she serves and the company is unparalleled. This award is a true testament to her hard work and dedication."

Alaska Head Start is the state's largest early childhood program. Every year, AHSA recognizes exceptional performance with its Awards of Excellence.

CCS Early Learning also named Dirkes its 2016 Bus Driver of the Year. Her location serves the center's five locations in Anchorage, Chugiak, Wasilla, Big Lake and Sutton. Dirkes also volunteers to help CCS and its students in her free time.


About First Student, Inc.
As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. First Student completes six million student journeys each day, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industry's strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, and charter services for 1,200 school district contracts. For more information, please visit firststudentinc.com.