Kathy Miller has been a bus driver for the Mid-Prairie Community School District for forty years. Earlier this month, Miller was selected as a recipient of the 2024 Longevity Service Award.

The award is given annually by the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association. It recognizes individuals who have been driving for at least 25 years and demonstrate exemplary dedication to students and the community. This includes but is not limited to high caliber leadership, a reputation for safe and responsible service, and being a mentoring model for new staff.

After decades driving for Mid-Prairie, Miller tells KCII that interacting with the students is still the highlight of the position. “That would definitely be my favorite part of the job; just getting to know the kids, building relationships with them, noticing when they’re maybe having difficulties and giving a little hug or high-five or fist pound, that just seems really important to them and I just like that part of my job. I don’t think I’d be doing it this long if it wasn’t for the kids.”

Miller will be presented with the Longevity Service Award at a ceremony on July 16.