Some familiar faces landed in the top-three drivers in the annual Beaufort County Schools Bus Rodeo in April.

Jimmy Ward, a veteran driver for John Cotten Tayloe Elementary School in Washington, took top honors once the scores were tallied. Ward, who is completing his 13th year as a school-bus driver for Beaufort County Schools, has placed in the top-three slots four of the past six years.

Second place went to last year’s winner, Carlton Roberson, who drives for Washington High School. With one win, Roberson has finished among the top-three positions for three of the past four years.

Ward and Roberson advanced to the district-level competition May 4 in Nashville. Winners at the regional level advance to the state competition in Raleigh at the end of this month. Ward and Roberson also serve Beaufort County Schools as custodians at Washington High School.

Vera Goss, who drives for P.S. Jones Middle School, took third this year. Goss has placed in the top-three finalists for three of the past five years. Goss is a teacher’s assistant at P.S. Jones Middle School.

Thirty drivers participated in this year’s competition.