Chatham County bus driver gives $100 to students with straight A's

Clarissa Neal, who drives Bus 198 for Northwood High School in Pittsboro, showed her students that good grades do pay off. Last week, Neal gave $100 to four students who had straight A's on their report cards.

Northwood High freshman Parker Stone said it was a gesture he will never forget.

"I thought it was going to be like $5, maybe $10 if I was lucky," Stone said.

Freshman Marshall Lennard said he thought Neal was joking at first.

"I was very grateful," he said. "She's a very nice lady for doing that."

Neal, who also does administrative work at a childcare center, said she isn't rich but wanted to do something for the students as an incentive to continue to work hard.

"I needed to give it to these students because they did so well, and I would get that back just seeing that they do better. That's more than money to me, seeing that somebody gets the knowledge they need to continue and be successful," she said.

Neal started driving for Northwood High in January. She has previously rewarded students on her bus routes for good grades.