Sandra Alvarez, the dedicated head custodian at Ukiah High School, is a vital force behind maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for students and staff alike. With almost 16 years of ensuring the campus feels like home, Alvarez exemplifies the importance of a well-maintained school environment.
Every day, Alvarez rises at 5 am, arriving at the school by 6 am to kick-start her mission. She takes pride in ensuring that flags are raised, and all buildings are open for students, setting the stage for a positive and inviting atmosphere throughout the day.
Managing a team of eight, Alvarez and her crew tirelessly work to keep the campus clean and presentable. “I want to keep the campus a safe environment for children because, if it were my children attending, I would want someone to do the same,” she expressed.
However, despite their best efforts, Alvarez faces an ongoing challenge with litter throughout campus. She has engaged with specific student groups and installed trash cans for their convenience, yet the issue persists. The concern goes beyond aesthetics for Alvarez; she worries about the potential consequences, such as the attraction of pests like cockroaches, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility.
Graffiti is another battle Alvarez fights to maintain a positive atmosphere. Promptly addressing any signs of graffiti, she and her team rush to the affected areas. Alvarez notes that graffiti often has gang affiliations, underscoring the need to eradicate it swiftly to uphold the school’s safety.
One of Alvarez’s primary concerns revolves around the cleanliness of the bathrooms. She reveals the challenges of reaching high ceilings in the Little Theatre bathrooms, where students often leave wet tampons and paper towels. Alvarez’s commitment to tackling these issues head-on demonstrates her unwavering dedication to Wildcat Nation.
In a heartfelt plea to the student body, Alvarez urges Wildcats to take pride in their school and assume responsibility for their surroundings. She emphasizes that a collective effort in maintaining cleanliness can transform the school’s appearance and alleviate the burden on custodial staff.
So, Wildcats, let’s rise to the occasion. The next time you enjoy lunch on campus, be mindful of your trash. By embracing this responsibility, we can contribute to a school environment that reflects the pride we have in Wildcat Nation and ensures our custodians’ hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Briana Goodson is a Junior and a journalist at Ukiah High School. In her free time, Briana enjoys reading books and writing. She also enjoys cheerleading and has done it for many years. She joined the journalism class because she wants to write about things that will keep her peers updated.
She was born in Ukiah California which makes writing things about her community hit close to home. Briana thinks of herself as hardworking but still knows how to show her goofy side. Not only is this Briana’s third year writing for the journalism team at Ukiah High she looks forward to writing for journalism in her Senior year for her last year.