PARRSBORO – Brady Dunham wanted his driver’s license, and his community is seeing that he gets it.
That was just one of the rewards bestowed upon the Parrsboro Regional High School in a special assembly in front of a packed crowd at the school on Thursday morning. He was also honoured by the town and the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board, and learned from Parrsboro Mayor Lois Smith that he will be receiving the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Brady was one of about 20 students aboard a school bus on Dec. 13 when driver Sue Roebuck experienced a medical emergency and became incapacitated. The Grade 11 student rushed to the front of the bus and steered it to a stop, avoiding a collision with a nearby restaurant.
“It was a bad situation but these students couldn’t have handled it better,” said PRHS principal Chester Clark. “They remembered their training, and it showed the importance of being prepared for any situation. I’m very proud of them all.”
School board representative Mackie Ross also presented certificates to students Grayson Welton and Destiny Hoeg, who were also on the bus, while Janet Roebuck, sister of the bus driver, who passed away after the accident, presented a gift to Brady. The Grade 11 student also learned that a community effort led by merchant Ian Black collected more than $1,200 that will pay for his driver’s education and training and fees to get his driver’s license, with the remainder of funds to go into a scholarship fund for him to use after graduation.
Following the ceremony, Brady said he was at a loss for words.
“I was surprised by all of it,” he said. “I had no idea what was coming.”
He said he was looking forward to making use of the drivers training and obtaining his license, but said he will just go after a regular license for now, not a bus driving license.
So proud of this boy! Parrsboro and area have a lot a great kids and most certainly Brady is one of them. Not even sure I'd have thought as quickly as he did. Great job Brady! So proud to say I'm from the area!