In the wee hours of Dec. 17, 2021, San Antonio ISD bus driver Luz Perez had just begun her route. It was a dark and cold morning, and as she traveled down a neighborhood street her gaze caught the sight of a dog in the middle of the road. But what was next to the dog made her heart stop.

Beside the dog was a baby in a diaper.

Perez immediately stopped her bus. Motherly instincts took over and she went outside to embrace and pick up the baby. She removed her coat and placed it around the shivering child. She called the police, who reunited the baby with family. 

For her heroic and caring actions, Perez received the district’s first “You Make A Difference Award” during the Jan. 10, 2022 board meeting. 

“Her heartwarming, motherly instincts, and protectiveness for any and all children show that ‘Making A Difference’ in children’s lives is what she is all about!” said Senior Executive Director of Transportation Nathan Graf during the award presentation.

Perez was presented with a plaque and a card signed by SAISD students.