Gilbert Ramirez – early shift, 9 am to 5:30 pm

   After 16 years at Gabrielino High School, Ramirez has found his happy place among a community of coworkers, staff, and students. As a “professional trash dumper”, he enjoys seeing the Speech and Debate team perform and working with the Associated Student body (ASB).

   “I love having fun here, getting to know everybody, that’s one of the biggest rewards,” Ramirez said with a smile. “Knowing that you’re doing a good job.”

   Everyday, Ramirez approaches his work with an open mind towards messes and a dedication to keeping the campus clean and safe. His biggest challenges are confronting the dinginess of the bathrooms and “hell week” during summer, where the custodians prepare the campus for the school year.

   “I see it as if there’s a guy out there doing this for my kids,” he said, laughing. “I want to do the same thing, making it clean and nice for you guys. That’s the way I approach it, like you guys are all my kids.”