James Powell, also known as Bubba, has been driving for New Castle Schools since November 1982! He became a bus driver because he was a farmer and wanted supplement income and insurance. Bubba was inspired to drive by his New Castle childhood bus driver, Wes Hedrick. He loved him and thought he was just wonderful.
Bubba is best known for his 12-hour trailer trips that he drives for the band department. One time, he was changing the tire on the trailer, and as he was spinning the ratchet around, it flung off and hit the band director in the head!
Mr. Powell shared another amazing memory from 1984, when New Castle won Semi-State Basketball at Hinkle Fieldhouse. "Sixteen buses were loaded with students, and every single bus drove through Indianapolis all the way to New Castle, with their red stop arm lights flashing to celebrate the victory! You could get away with that in the 80’s." Although bus driving regulations have changed, Bubba has stood the test of time, driving for decades of children. “You can’t take a good man down.”
Why has he stayed so long? Truly, because he "really enjoys the students." Bubba now owns his own excavating business, but still drives his bus route faithfully every day. He continually befriends thousands of students, and aspires to be "an adult in the students' lives that didn't give up on them." A great mentor, Mr. Powell understands the power of connection. Bubba said, "It’s rewarding watching a student develop into their full potential."
