WISD bus driver Julio Ospina, center, with Maritza Valentin, Liz Ospina, Jessie Murphy, Stephanie Meeks and Christie Hebert, received the 2025 Special Needs School Bus Driver of the Year award. Allison LaBrot / The Wylie News

An act of care and quick thinking has earned Wylie ISD bus driver Julio Ospina a national award. Ospina received the AMF-Bruns of America 2025 Special Needs School Bus Driver of the Year award at a ceremony in the district’s transportation center Thursday, Dec. 4. 

Ospina has worked in student transportation for 20 years, with the last two years being in WISD. During the previous school year, Ospina completed his afternoon route one day and noticed a child walking along the road. He immediately pulled over to check on the student and sensed something was wrong. The bus driver stayed with the child and contacted law enforcement officers to discover the student had been reported missing that morning. The child returned home safely thanks to Ospina’s actions. 

“This act wasn’t a part of his job description, but it’s exactly who Julio is,” said Maritza Valentin, national account manager for AMF-Bruns of America. “It’s this same sense of responsibility and care that defines the way he interacts with students each day, always watching out for their safety and always going above and beyond.”

Valentin presented a $1,000 check and commemorative plaque to Ospina with state, school district and school board officials present. The presentation was met with resounding applause from Ospina’s coworkers, friends and family.

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]