Readers of the Jewell County Record know the name Kate Gurka as the author of the Esbon news, but she's expanding as a new bus driver for Rock Hills Schools. She will be driving a morning route for Burr Oak and is excited to start.

Gurka came to Jewell County from Alvin, Texas, three years ago. She has been a mechanic for 17 years and has had her CDL for the same amount of time. "I had to get my CDL so I could drive what I fixed," Gurka said.

Kate Gurka

Gurka enjoys working on her cars, fishing and hunting, and time with her family. She plants a garden every year. This year she had a bountiful harvest. Gurka has two dogs, three goats and two cats. She also has chickens, but is having a fox problem which is making her flock dwindle in numbers.

She and her husband have two children of their own, one is a senior at Rock Hills and the other is 21. Even though they only have two of their own, Gurka and her husband adore anyone who crosses their path.

Gurka is looking forward to being inspired by the children and being able to inspire others. "I saw a need for drivers and knew I could help, even if it is only part time," Gurka said. Random acts of kindness inspire her.

Advice Gurka has for others is to "see a need, fill a need," and to help out if you can help. She wants us all to remember you can do random acts of kindness without getting a pat on the back.