Ulibarri takes second in Bus Rodeo

Paul Ulibarri, Socorro District School bus driver placed second in the Bus Rodeo at the convention center on Saturday. It was his first time competing.

Ulibarri said when they were deciding who to send to represent the Socorro School district, he volunteered to go if no else wanted.

“So I just joked around. I said, ‘Let’s flip a coin.’” Ulibarri said.

He called tails and tails it was.

The Bus Rodeo is a skills competition for school bus drivers. The event, held for the first time in Socorro, included a written test with 35 multiple-choice questions and various driving tasks like parallel parking and alley docking. Drivers are scored on their ability to navigate the course without hitting cones or scraping the bus. Each district typically sends one bus driver to compete.

He said he wasn’t expecting the competition to feel so intense, but he was a little nervous with all eyes on him, especially since his competitors had more experience as bus drivers.

Only four drivers, including Santa Rosa, Farmington and Roswell school districts, participated this year.

“We have a plan for next year. We’re going to hit it hard next year and be more prepared to do it.” Ulibarri said, “It’s gonna be fun. It’s going to bring people here.”

He said the convention center and fairgrounds are the perfect place to host a Bus Rodeo.

Ulibarri is thankful for the Socorro School District’s transportation department, especially Bernice Anaya and Danny Hicks. He also appreciates his wife, Jennifer, who is a bus driver, for all her support.

“I got a lot of support from everybody. This is only my fourth year as a bus driver,” Ulibarri said.

At the awards ceremony, Hicks also received an award in honor of all his dedication to the students of the state of New Mexico for going above and beyond.

Kenny Gonzales, welding instructor, custom-made the awards for the event.