The 2026 Peace River School Division Transportation Award of Excellence recipient is Route 94 driver, Lynne Sundby.

Sundby is a Fairview-area driver who has safely transported students to and from school since September, 2024. She was nominated for the award because of her reliability and strong communication skills. Her nominator also highlighted the special ways Sundby recognizes the students on her bus by celebrating birthdays and holidays with them. One nominator said that Sundby’s naturally warm and friendly personality has helped ease their son’s “extreme anxiety.” 

“We are new to riding the bus this year. Lynne really helped with the transition of having constant parent drop off/pick ups to riding the bus full time. My kids are excited to ride the bus and enjoy being on Lynne’s bus,” wrote a nominator.

Transportation Manager Merlin Lee presented Sundby with the 2026 award during the annual Bus Driver start up event, held at the Grimshaw Shared Schools Facility Theatre on Tuesday, August 18.

“This year was a very challenging year and I just want to say that we’ve really appreciated everything you have done,” said Lee to Sundby during the award presentation. “You’ve gotten through all the challenges that were thrown at you, and some of the feedback you had was that the parents love you and the students love you.”

In addition to recognizing Sundby, the Transportation department also recognized 10 additional Transportation Award of Excellence Nominees. The nominees for the 2026 award were:

• Janessa Ives - Route 44 Peace River
• Eva Neufeld - Route 27 Cleardale
• Colleen Stewart - Route 75 Grimshaw
• Karen Obrigewitch - Route 82 Fairview
• Lilli Lundgard - Route 62 Peace River
• Charmon Lepage - Route 30 Peace River
• Helen Macintosh - Route 77 Grimshaw
• Amber Johner - Route 79 Peace River
• Kim Gour - Route 57 Peace River
• Ashlyn Geddes - Central Operations Transportation Shop Support

Congratulations to each of these nominees, and to Lynne on being named the 2026 Transportation Award of Excellence winner!