Transportation Supervisor Elizabeth “Charlie” McAlister of Springfield (Mo.) Public Schools was randomly selected as the winner of the third annual “Play2Win” online trivia game promoting the STN EXPO. McAlister logged 50 entries into the drawing, which was held June 29, by answering as many questions correctly over the three-month span of the game.
As the grand champion, McAlister has won an all-expenses-paid trip to the STN EXPO in Reno, Nev. This includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and conference registration, including a pre-conference seminar of her choice.
“I am excited! I don’t think I’ve ever won anything,” she said. “I like the motto: You’ve got to play to win.”
She told STN that without this prize, she would have been unable to attend EXPO this year because her district simply couldn’t afford it. Yet she was able to attend the 2010 EXPO, and she recalled benefiting from the many learning and networking opportunities.
This year, McAlister is especially looking forward to the presentation by keynote speaker Yul Kwan, host of the PBS series “America Revealed,” attorney, former legislative aide and the 2006 winner of the reality show “Surivor: Cook Islands.”
“I am eager to hear what he says about social dynamics, dealing with people, and distracted driving is of particular interest as well. Based on all of his experiences, I’m really excited to hear his presentation,” she noted.
Additionally, McAlister said she would like to learn more about the customer service side of student transportation and how to partner with organizations like the Safe Routes to School National Partnership on projects.
“I think we do a good job with our customers, but there is always an opportunity to do better,” she added. “It’s another opportunity to up the ante of the level of service we provide.”
Last year, the lucky winner in Memphis, Tenn., was Debbie Yancy of DeSoto County Schools in nearby Hernando, Miss., who actually “re-gifted” the EXPO scholarship to Sheila Tipton, the district’s special education supervisor.
Charlie Ott, the director of transportation at Clovis West Unified School District in Fresno, Calif., won free registration to the STN EXPO during the NAPT Summit trade show last fall in Memphis, Tenn.
