Custodian celebrates his 40th year with Award of Excellence

Custodian+Alfonso+Rivera+will+be+recognized+with+the+Illinois+State+Board+of+Education%E2%80%99s+highest+honor+on+Oct.+19+in+Normal%2C+Illinois.+

Photo by Becky Koltz

Custodian Alfonso Rivera will be recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest honor on Oct. 19 in Normal, Illinois.

By Leslie Najera-Rivas, Editor in Chief

While dedicating weekends to students to helping with pool equipment, custodian Alfonso Rivera will be recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest honor, the Award of Excellence, on Oct. 19 in Normal, Illinois.

“I was not expecting it at all. There were people who told me ‘you have no chance of winning’ (but) once I told my family the news, they changed my mind on it and made me realize it was an honor to get nominated,” Rivera said. 

School staff members nominated Rivera, who has worked here since March 1980 as a third shift custodian. 

“I come from a responsible, hardworking family. When we get a job we get it to keep it and do a good job,” Rivera said. 

A local reception was held for Rivera on Aug. 21 at the school. 

“WeGo has taught me a lot, there is too much to be specific but being here has definitely taught so much,” Rivera said. 

Rivera has done various tasks such as making temporary pool fixes, making sure the school is safe, and dedicating over 500 weekends to check readings.

“I have done everything to maintain the floors (and) cleaning the bathrooms. I do everything that has to be done and is asked of me,” Rivera said. 

Rivera appreciates what the school has given him. 

“Working here is how I took care of my family and what made me into the man that I am today,” Rivera said.