When someones says “hero” what is it that comes to your mind? A hero is a person who has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Antioch Community High School security guards Noel Working, Robert Gabriel, Gary Braun, Susan Jacobs and José Becerra are heroes because they ensure that the learning environment at ACHS is as safe as it can be.

Working has worked at ACHS for seven years. His career at ACHS started once he retired and a close friend, dean Ms. McGuigan, said that the security staff needed a male security guard. Working, the head of the security guard team, said that he enjoys his job and that the high school’s environment has improved tremendously since he started working here.

“ACHS has gotten a lot better,” said Working. “I feel that I have made it a great learning situation for the kids, since they feel comfortable around me.”

Working feels that he and the kids at ACHS have a bond in and outside of school.

“I usually see the kids outside of school, and they are very respectful. It makes me happy to know that I have done my job,” he said.

He also mentioned how happy it makes him to hear ACHS students and alumni say he has impacted their lives.

Jacobs has worked at ACHS since November 2012. Jacobs said that her interest in becoming a security guard began once she found out that there was an opening, and since she loves working with kids that it would be an opportunity to do something in her free time.

“I have enjoyed being at ACHS. I enjoy the kids, I enjoy the staff and our new principal is wonderful,” said Jacobs. She feels that ACHS Principal Bradford Hubbard sets a good vibe along with staff members throughout the school.
Jacobs thinks that the school has impacted her by making her compassionate and patient.

“I feel that students can trust me and can talk to me when it is needed. I try to exude a sense of trust between us,” Jacobs said.

She tries her best to be there for the students when they have no one else to go to.

Jacobs feels that the most important thing to do is to make a difference in someones day or life.

“I only deserve the title as a hero if, I was successful in making a difference in someone’s day or life,” she said.

Gabriel, ACHS’s newest addition to the security guard staff, said he has enjoyed his time at ACHS. Outside of school, Gabriel enjoys adding to his train collection, working on his motorcycle and playing video games. He participates in several different clubs for charity, and is the leader of the American Riders Legion. Gabriel converts his own home into a haunted house every year for charity reasons. He also takes donations for the Open Arms mission in Antioch, Ill.

Gabriel thoroughly enjoys working here at ACHS and exemplifies what a hero he is. Not only does he help to provide a safe environment here, he keeps a good relationship with staff and students.

“I enjoy it here, I’ve been at a couple other places I did not like. ACHS was a good choice,” said Gabriel.

Gabriel says that it is very important to teach the younger generation about respect. The reason being that he feels that you can not get around without knowing how to respect others.

“I try to show the students respect, and try to instill in them that not only should you respect me as an adult, but also as someone who is here to protect you, and maybe inspire you in the near future,” Gabriel said.

Braun has been working at ACHS for seven years and each day proves that he is a hero to students, staff, and community members. What got Braun to work at ACHS as a security guard is when he saw an ad in the paper. Since the job was close to home, he decided to give it a shot.

“Antioch gets better ever year,” said Braun. In his opinion, the behavior of Antioch’s students has improved a lot compared to when he first started working here.

Becerra has been a security guard since October of last year. This is Becerras first job as a security guard. He decided to try it out when Working offered him a job when they were short a guard.

“I’ve worked for corporate America and as a security guard and this is a great job. I enjoy working with the students as my first security guard position,” said Becerra.

In Becerra’s free time he enjoys flying planes, he is currently working on getting his pilots license. Becerra is a member in the American Riders Legion, and rides for charity.

There is more to the security guard staff than one may think. Besides patrolling the hallways, the security guards serve as encouragement to students. Next time you see a security guard in the hallway, take some time before the year is over to thank them.