Mario Hernandez, a campus safety officer at Oak Park and River Forest High School, sat at a table on the balcony, his arms folded in front of him. A student walking past stopped in his tracks to high-five, and they casually caught each other up on their days. After they talked, Hernandez smiled and said, “The students here at OPRF are what drive me; they are what makes the job so great.”
In a job that requires security guards to enforce the rules and keep students safe, Hernandez does both effectively while still keeping a caring space for the students open, colleagues and students said.
Like all security staff at Oak Park and River Forest High School, Hernandez carries a heavy load when it comes to making sure the school stays safe. Over the years, many infractions have occurred that caused security to tighten up and be a little harder on the students.
For example, on Nov. 17, the school initiated a “hold” after “two students discharged pepper spray, striking several students and staff in the process,” according to a school-wide communication from Director of Campus Safety Kristen Devitt. A hold means that classes can continue as usual, but no one may leave their rooms.
The pepper spray incident was the most visibly disruptive incident of the year so far, but campus safety officers have dealt with many others. Between Aug. 13 and Nov. 14, the school reported 375 disciplinary infractions, including disruptive behavior in class, failure to respect property and being in an unauthorized area of the building, among others.
Security guards have the first priority of protecting the school and making sure it’s safe for the faculty and the students of OPRF. However, with this responsibility, it’s hard for the security guards to also maintain a meaningful relationship with the students.
Hernandez has been proven to do both, according to Devitt. “When I first started to get to know Mario, the thing that I recognized is a calming presence,” she said. “He is good at listening and understanding what people are saying.”
Hernandez’s calming presence and ability to listen and understand not only impact his coworkers but also the students here at OPRF. Jalen Stanley, a senior, said that seeing Hernandez “brightens up his day.”
Seeing how Hernandez makes the people around him happier on a day-to-day basis, it was interesting to know what values he brings to his job every day.
Hernandez said, “One thing I carry with me is to be kind to everybody and treat everyone with respect, but I also think it’s a two-way street.”
One way Hernandez shows these values is by showing his support to students and noticing the little things about their lives. “He noticed my growth throughout school; he noticed how I went from being a student who was always in the hallways to a student who was more engaged in class. It made me feel like someone was appreciating my growth,” Stanley said.
These values also show in Hernandez’s work ethic. “He’s quiet but really good at staying up and moving around and having contact with people when they’re not where they’re supposed to be or helping kids who are struggling with something. He does really well in those situations,” said Devitt.
Now, there is no doubt that Hernandez has made an impact in this school. But who has made an impact on Hernandez’s life?
Hernandez has no hesitation when saying his mom. “Even though she was strict, it pays off,” he said. “She truly cares and loves me.” Hernandez even stated that is how he came to be the person he is today, making a safer environment while simultaneously providing care and guidance for others around him.
