East Greenbush, NY, April 7, 2022 – Leonard Bus Sales announced today that Italia Verdi, a senior at Columbia High School – East Greenbush Central School District is the winner of the 4th annual Leonard Bus Sales A Day in the Life of a School Bus art competition. As the winner of the competition, Italia will receive a $1,000 one-time higher-education scholarship from Leonard Bus Sales for her original artwork depicting a day in the life of a school bus.
“The Leonard Bus Sales family looks forward to the A Day in the Life of a School Bus art competition every year as it provides us a view of school transportation through the most important and critical lens – the students who ride a yellow bus to and from school each day,” said Leonard Bus Sales Vice President, Stacey Bruce. “We are deeply honored to play a role in helping students like Italia pursue their dreams upon graduation.”
Leonard Bus Sales launched its annual art competition to inspire and recognize young artists in high schools across New York State. A Day in the Life of a School Bus art competition requires participating juniors and seniors from across New York State to artistically depict a day in the life of a school bus and select either an IC BusTM or Trans Tech Bus brand school bus as the subject – the two brands that are sold and supported by Leonard Bus Sales.
“A Day in the Life of a School Bus art competition reminds us that education is a journey with many sights and stops along the way to each student’s personal destination,” said Jon Leonard, President of Leonard Bus Sales. “There are many people who help guide each student in their individual journey including family, friends, educators, coaches, and the often-unseen professionals like school bus drivers. Leonard Bus Sales is honored by the trust our school district partners place in our company, and we are proud to support school children between the many stops along their educational journey.”
Italia’s principal, Michael Harkin, said, “Italia’s love for learning will continue thanks in part to the A Day in the Life of a School Bus art scholarship that will allow her to pursue her studies at Hudson Valley Community College with the intent to one day become a teacher herself. We are extremely proud of Italia and all her accomplishments.”
In addition to a $1,000 one-time scholarship paid directly to Hudson valley Community College, Italia’s original drawing will be framed and put on display at the East Greenbush Transportation Office. Italia’s drawing will also be made into professional prints and shared with school districts and school bus enthusiasts across the state.
Leonard Bus Sales presented the scholarship to Italia at Columbia High School on Tuesday, March 29th. Italia was joined by Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Simons who presented her with a certificate of recognition from the Board of Education; Michael Harkin, Principal of Columbia High School; Andrea Neiman, Art Department Chair; Patti LeRoy, Art Teacher; Mark Halsey, Transportation Dispatcher; and Italia’s mother, Tanya Whitman.
About: Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school buses. A third-generation family owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has been providing cost-saving fleet management services and award-winning customer support for over fifty years. Leonard Bus Sales is a leading distributor of IC BusTM brand buses in Upstate New York and distributes Trans Tech Type-A school buses throughout New York. The company operates full-service facilities in Bergen, Deposit, Middletown, Rome, and Saratoga Springs. www.leonardbus.com
