Brenda Huckle loves being a substitute bus monitor.

“I love subbing and moving around,” Huckle said. “It is something different every day.”

But in her 14 years with the district, she saw something entirely new Nov. 30. 

She and substitute driver Dawn Hepworth were supposed to turn on Walters Street, but because of their unfamiliarity with the route, they turned a street early. Poised to go around the block to get back on track, they were shocked when a toddler ran out into the street. 

“It was meant for us to take that turn,” Huckle said.

Hepworth stopped the bus, and Huckle ran out and scooped up the little girl.

“It was just mother instinct,” Huckle said. “My concern as a parent was for her safety.”

Huckle wrapped the small child in Hepworth’s jacket and they waited with the girl until police and fire personnel arrived. 

The action came naturally to Hepworth, who has raised six children in addition to her two daughters and granddaughter.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a student of the district or not, I watch out for all kids,” Hepworth said. “Even if I was in my own car, I would have stopped.”

For Huckle, getting in her own car after the event was a bit of a problem. She lost her keys somewhere in the scramble. 

“It was worth it to save her,” Huckle said. “I’m just so thankful we were there for her.”

The pair was honored for their heroic actions by district leadership on Dec. 14.

“The blessing is that our bus driver and monitor were in the right place at the right time,” Nathan Graf, senior executive director of transportation, said.