Big Smile, Big Hat, Big Heart

Wednesday, May 17 was the last day of the 2016 - 2017 school year for the students of West Feliciana, and all of them riding Mr. C.S. “Cheeze” Hamilton’s bus knew that meant one thing: popsicles. This is an honored tradition that Cheeze has kept up year after year to reward the children for all their hard work. I, myself, was once a proud rider on that bus, and I can tell you personally that an ice-cold chocolate popsicle handed directly to you as you step up onto the school bus with one entire school year behind you, and your whole summer ahead, could not feel more perfect. 

What those lucky students didn’t know this year, as they enjoyed their sweet treats, was that they were an extra-special group, because they would be the very last to partake in this long-standing tradition. After over half a century of driving a bus for the schools in West Feliciana Parish, Mr. Cheeze has retired, and that Wednesday was his last day at the wheel of a 57-year career and, undeniably, passion. 

He saw more gravel roads than paved, and learned quickly how to wrangle a 25,000 lb bus out of deep mud.

As it would happen, the annual Bus Driver’s Dinner was scheduled for Wednesday evening as well, and though Cheeze kept the announcement of his retirement quiet, word got out by the end of the day. The ample deck space in back of The Francis Restaurant began to feel small as guests filed in, eager to shake the hand and hug the neck of the honored guest. Though only given about half-a-day’s notice from social media and a few phone calls, his fans, friends, and family drove in from as far as New Orleans and Mississippi to be present for this dinner and wish him well in his retirement. In an unofficial survey, there were “riders” in attendance from as far back as 1965 (and some so recent, they still had popsicle stains showing). It was an appropriate send-off with songs, silliness, tears, and so much love and admiration from the community for this man. And my, did the stories flow. 

He saw black and white students riding together for the first time as our state and country broke down the segregation of education. He drove children to school, and their children to school, and their children to school.

Cheeze was hired by the school board as a special exception back when he was just 19 years old, just before he graduated from high school himself. At the time, his father had passed away and Cheeze was struggling to keep his family’s farm alive and take care of his mother and sisters. He explains with tears in his eyes how it was through the kindness of a local attorney, Sydney Picou, and all the members of the school board, and Superintendent Hall and his wife who agreed to trust him with the high level of responsibility that comes with carrying all these young souls back and forth every day. It would take discipline, care, intelligence, attention to detail, and a tremendous amount of reliability. Fortunately, everyone who knew Cheeze, even at such a young age, understood that he possessed all those traits, and would not let them down. 

When he first started driving, he was one of only three bus drivers for the school, and his route started out along the Mississippi State border, down long, winding driveways, to each individual home between there and the old schoolhouse in town. He saw more gravel roads than paved, and learned quickly how to wrangle a 25,000 lb bus out of deep mud. Cheeze’s route changed again and again over the years as new subdivisions were built, as new industries brought job opportunities, and new families called West Feliciana Parish home. He saw black and white students riding together for the first time as our state and country broke down the segregation of education. He drove children to school, and their children to school, and their children to school—and he did it with flare! 

Famously, there was an extended period of time when a favorite goat would ride daily, tied up next to his seat so all the kids getting on and off could give it a good head-scratch.

Cheeze is well-known for his big heart, big hat, and big smile everywhere he goes. He’s known to have carried a variety of animals on his bus over the years; any hurt bird, turtle, pup, kitten, or squirrel that might have crossed his path would make it to a shoebox, and whichever child was holding down the front seat behind him would usually be the honored keeper for the ride. Famously, there was an extended period of time when a favorite goat would ride daily, tied up next to his seat so all the kids getting on and off could give it a good head-scratch; and perhaps most unbelievably, a horse was once transferred via bus for a friend. 

Though somehow keeping mostly to schedule, Cheeze was never afraid to deviate from the agenda in order to do something kind or worthwhile. He’d stop to help a stranded motorist, or to let a child use the restroom if they just couldn’t make it home. He’d bring anyone with a nosebleed or scraped knee into his own home halfway through the route so his wife could patch them up. He always had a moment to chat with the mothers and fathers receiving their children after school, always kept up with how families were doing, and offered a hand to anyone who might be going through a hard time. Cheeze once overheard some kids picking on a boy for eating raw corn as a snack on the bus, and he came to the boy’s defense, explaining that it’s a healthy and delicious treat. To prove his point, he pulled over at a cornfield and had those children hop off and grab an ear of the fresh sweet corn to put it to the test. Turned out they all agreed: it wasn’t bad. 

He looked out for every little one’s best interest, and many children had his hand to hold when they needed one most. 

There were times Cheeze had to make some pretty big calls in his route. Sometimes, when dropping a young child off at home, nobody would be there, so he’d keep the child with him until he could reach the family. Sometimes, the child’s home was just not the place for a child in the moment. He used caution and looked out for every little one’s best interest in making those tough decisions, and many children had his hand to hold when they needed one most. 

It takes a very special person to do what he did, how he did it for so many years. As several speakers at his retirement party pointed out, the school will be looking for a new driver over the summer, but there is just no replacing Mr. Cheeze. 

Now, don’t get too upset over the end of this era. Cheeze will still be running his cattle in Wakefield, and driving his truck around town, and he’ll certainly continue adoring every child and appreciating every kind person he meets. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get to see him soon and tell him congratulations on his successful career. If you happened to be a rider yourself, be sure to share your favorite bus ride story with him. And, if you never got to ride, he’s still offering an open seat in the farm truck—but you’d better be ready to work!