By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City Intermediate School students and their bus driver escaped injury after their bus heading to Sea Isle City caught fire last week.
On Thursday night, Ocean City Board of Education members and other officials commended the driver from Sheppard Bus Service, known as “Miss Linda,” and the students for their acts of “courage and bravery.”
“We have some heroes to talk to tonight and to recognize tonight,” said Board of Education President Kevin Barnes. “I think everybody handled themselves very well.”
Ten students were heading back home to Sea Isle on April 17 around 2:30 p.m. when the bus caught fire near mile marker 20.6 of the Garden State Parkway in Upper Township. There were no injuries and the students were returned home.
School Business Administrator Tim Kelley, who responded to the bus fire, had certificates for each of the students.
While none of the students were in attendance, Kelley noted that Intermediate School Principal Mike Mattina would give them their certificates in class.
He did say a few words about the bus driver, who also wasn’t at the meeting, and the students who were on the bus.
“We just wanted to recognize all of the students who acted so bravely this past week on the Sea Isle bus. A number of them rose to the occasion. I was able to get to the scene. But by the time I was there, those students had it under control,” Kelley said. “They were with the driver. They were with the State Police and emergency responders, as well as a number of parents who beat me to the scene.”
Kelley said the district is so thankful that everyone was safe.
“Our students really shined. They rose to the occasion in an emergency. They acted calmly. They listened to direction and some took leadership roles and really proved what great students they are,” he emphasized.
He added that the district also thanked the bus driver, “Miss Linda,” whose full name has not yet been released.
Interim Schools Superintendent Terry Crowley also acknowledged the bravery of the students and the bus driver.
In other matters, Crowley also thanked Mike Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood restaurant in Sea Isle and Ocean City, for a generous donation for the district’s Unified Sports Program.
Each year, Monichetti hosts a major fundraiser in Sea Isle that raises more than $100,000 for autism programs and awareness in South Jersey.
“We reached out to Mike, and he reached out to us, and he sent us a check for $5,000 for the Unified Sports Program we are trying to get off the ground,” Crowley said. “A credit to Mike. He’s a fantastic guy. It will really help our youngsters with our Unified Sports Program.”
The Unified Sports Program is where students in special education and general education students get together and participate in a variety of athletic events.
Crowley added that the district has a certificate of appreciation for Monichetti.
For more information visit oceancityschools.org.
