The day began like any other. Zoe Byard was picking up the students on her morning bus route. But as she arrived at her last destination in Cedar Court, danger struck. Thankfully, Destiny stepped in.

 

Jan. 28, while making her morning route, Byard began having chest pains. They were later diagnosed as an angina attack, a condition caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart. Sensing a problem that morning, Byard parked her bus and called her boss, Ric Wayman, for help.

 

Wayman, PISD’s transportation supervisor, called 9-1-1 on Byard’s behalf and sent another driver to pick up the children who had already boarded Bus 7.

 

Byard knew it could be several minutes before help could arrive. Thankfully, just before passing out at her steering wheel, Byard was greeted by one  fifth-grader Destiny Lopez.

 

Destiny had heard several students say the bus driver seemed sick, so she hurried to the front and asked Byard if she was OK. Byard told Destiny that she was sick, but that she had already called for help. She then asked Destiny to help keep the other children calm until help arrived.

 

“She got the kids all quiet  and made sure they stayed set down until help arrived,” Byard said. Though she cannot remember much of what happened on the bus that morning, Byard said several people told her how well Destiny handled the situation.

 

“She’s a very responsive young lady, and I’m so proud of her and all the kids on my bus,” Byard said.

 

The first person to arrive at the Bus 7 was Jennie Houghteling, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, who also works for PISD. “I remember waking up to her slapping my face,” Byard said of Houghteling.

 

While Byard was sent to the hospital, the students were loaded on to other buses and taken to school.

 

Harper Principal Anita Barch said she does not think the kids were even late to school that day.

 

While hosting a UIL awards assembly Jan. 29, Barch took an opportunity to recognize Destiny’s valiant efforts to control what could have been a far more devastating situation.

 

 “Boys and girls, I don’t know that you realize, but in my opinion we have a hero among us,” Barch said. The students began surveying the cafeteria, looking first at the parents gathered and then at each other.

 

After asking Destiny to come to the stage, Barch explained what had happened, and how proud she was of Destiny and all the students on Byard’s bus. Barch later said, "Destiny Lopez is a hero in the eyes of all the students on bus 7 and to the driver."

 

Wayman also thanked Destiny, and presented her with a large stuffed dog and plaque commemorating her heroism. He said he was impressed with how quickly Destiny took control. “She recognized a problem, and she knew how to help,” Wayman said.

 

Destiny’s parents said her response on the bus is typical of their daughter. “She was very excited that she was able to help somebody,” said Josefa Lopez, Destiny’s mom. Mrs. Lopez said Destiny has always been a caring person, quick to take care of her younger siblings and cousins.

 

Several of Destiny’s relatives were on the bus with her the day of Byard’s attack. Mrs. Lopez said it is just in Destiny’s nature to help.

 

“She’s God’s little helper,” she said. “She really cares about people ... We’re so proud of her.”

 

Byard was released from the hospital Jan. 28, and OK’d to return to work the following Monday. Though she will have additional tests run in a few weeks, her doctors have told Byard there was no damage done to her heart, and she is fit for driving.

 

Though Byard is back to her bus route, much as usual, she has not forgotten Destiny’s help. “It’s just amazing for them to be that well behaved and to let Destiny take control like she did,” Byard said. “I’m so proud of all my kids.”

 

Photo by Jennifer Fike
Zoe Byard greets students as they load onto Bus 7.

 

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