LARGO, Fla. — Only a few more days of school for most kids across the Tampa Bay area, but some Largo middle school students may start to miss a familiar face — their bus driver.
Riding the bus to and from school is not typically something kids look forward to, but Anthony Burgess made it his mission to change that this school year.
"The inside of the bus is just the inside of a bus so I want it to be a little more positive environment," Burgess said. "I've been in the classroom setting before and I just wanted it to be a fun-loving space."
Burgess knew the moment he got behind the wheel of a Pinellas County school bus that he wanted it to be different.
"I said 'Hey let's make some quotes and do something positive' and they were all for it."
The students started writing up quotes and pictures for Burgess to hang up. Reminders that each day can be a good day. It's encouragement Burgess said he needed when he was a kid.
"But, it was my teachers, it was my bus driver, it was my mentors, you know that really made me want to come to school," he said. "So I figured if maybe they're excited to get on 619, maybe they'll show up more often."
Burgess is hoping he can have the same impact on these kids that his bus drivers had on him.
"Maybe she's watching this, Mrs. Fisher," he said. "I used to live off the Roosevelt area by the airport and Mrs. Fisher was amazing."
The students say they are getting the message.
"And you know when we get on and off the bus he's like who's awesome, you are. He's just really an overall really good guy," one student said.
"He gives us fist bumps, he brings candy on the bus for trivia and we play games on the bus to win candy," another said.
Burgess is just glad the kids are happy.
"I'm the start and beginning and end of these kids' day," he said. "I don't know what's happening before they get on my bus, but I know what can happen when they get on the bus... it's going to make me tear up."
This is Burgess' first year as a bus driver and he says knowing he's making a difference in these kids' lives, making their day a little better, makes it all worth it!