Not all super heroes wear capes, scale buildings or bring villains to justice. Sometimes they snare snakes, rescue bunnies and fix flat tires. Those are just a few of the traits that make Head Custodian Larry Allen the super hero of Kingston Elementary.
Teacher April Murphy considers him “the heart of our school.”
“He always has a smile on his face no matter the day or circumstance (even while mowing the grass in the summer heat),” Murphy said. “My class calls him the pencil fairy because he gathers up all the pencils on the floor throughout the school and delivers them to our room early in the morning before we get to school. This ensures no one ever goes without a pencil. We love Mr. Larry!”
Cheyanne Daye could not agree more, adding that Mr. Larry is the first person to jump in to help no matter the situation.
“Last week, he saved recess for fourth grade by killing all of the wasp nests from the playground,” Daye said.
Although he was not hired as a zookeeper or wildlife agent, if the job calls for him to put on those hats, he does so without the blink of an eye.
“From rescuing ducks and baby bunnies on the playground to wrangling snakes and creepy crawlies, he’s like Kingston’s very own super hero,” Brandy Pelletier explained. “The students love to chat with him in the hallways, and he takes care of our teachers like he’s family. When I realized I had a flat tire at school one day, he changed the flat to the donut so I could drive home safely. He’s dedicated, kind, and a true example of a servant’s heart.”
“A typical (ha! ha!) day in my role is equal parts organized chaos and pure entertainment, especially when our kindergarten teachers are on the move,” Allen reflected. “Watching them guide an entire class to the bathroom, lunch or enrichment is the closest thing to herding cats you’ll ever see – except these cats somehow end up in a straight line, on time, and somehow still smiling. It’s a daily masterclass in patience, energy, and quiet magic.”
And yes, there are a few tasks that are more unusual than others that Mr. Larry gets pulled into, making him the super hero he is.
“The most unusual task I’ve been called upon to handle was rescuing a duck that had gotten itself thoroughly hung up in a fence right in the middle of a creek,” Allen recounted. “I wasn’t entirely sure how deep the water was, but that detail quickly became secondary when an entire grade of second graders lined up along the fence and began chanting ‘Mr. Larry! Mr. Larry!’ like I was about to attempt a high-wire act. After a careful (and slightly soggy) extraction, the duck finally flew off to freedom. The kids erupted into cheers and took off running as if we had just won the Super Bowl.”
“No matter what is asked of him, he shows up with a kind heart and a willingness to make things better,” wrote Molly Patterson. “He also shows up for our students in ways that mean so much. He came outside of school hours to watch our cheerleaders perform at a basketball game, and seeing how excited the girls were to have him there was priceless. Those are the moments that show how much he cares about our kids.”
“I was raised by my grandparents. My grandmother was an FTD florist in a flower shop attached to her house. She always said it doesn’t cost one penny to be kind to others. She practiced what she preached. She was so kind to everyone. Everything that’s good in me came from her,” Allen shared.
It is for those moments of kindness and heroism that the Kingston community nominated their own Super Man for Bossier Schools’ first Gold Star employee award of the year. Thunderous applause reverberated in the gym as students enthusiastically cheered for Mr. Larry when he was announced as a Gold Star.
“The Gold Star award means a great deal to me, but it truly reflects the dedication of the entire Kingston community – especially our teachers and staff who pour endless energy and heart into everyday while still lifting each other up,” Allen later said. “They’re the real reason this place feels so special.”
Editor’s note: Know someone who works for Bossier Schools that is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond? Nominate them for the Gold Star award, proudly sponsored for the 14th year by Bossier Federal Credit Union. Visit https://bit.ly/GoldStarForm to tell what sets them apart and be watching for our next Gold Star surprise.