​Lebanon schools bus driver focuses on people

She knows adults can improve a life.

Ruth Roark knows the impact a special person can have in the life of a child.

She herself moved from foster home to foster home before a man and woman changed her life through adoption.

Now she hopes to impact the lives of the hundreds of school children she serves as a bus driver for the Lebanon City School District.

Roark shares more about herself.

Q: What has been your educational journey?

A: I grew up in Middletown, Ohio, and graduated from Middletown High School a long time ago, 1981.

Q: Can you share a little about your family?

A: I am married to my best friend, James. We have two daughters, Elizabeth and Samantha, and two grandchildren, Evan and Hailey. I have a dachshund mix named Tolow and a guinea pig named Squeaky.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a bus driver?

A: My coworkers are great, and I love the kids.

I also run the social committee at the bus garage. I enjoy planning events and making things for all the drivers and staff.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: In my free time, I enjoy doing all kinds of crafts, and I love reading a good book.

Q: What is something people may not know about you?

A: I have been blessed in my life. I was adopted by two of the greatest parents a kid could ask for.

I was in several foster homes until my mom and dad chose me at age 4. Through all the ups and downs through childhood, they never failed to love and support more. I owe them a great deal, and I couldn’t love two parents more.

I’ve also been blessed with two wonderful kids, a son-in-law, two very bright grandkids, my husband and the extended family I have come to love.

Contact this contributing writer at lisa.knodel@gmail.com.

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