BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The secret to a good day of school at Fruitvale Junior High isn’t what you wear or bring for lunch, it’s the words you get at the start of the day from crossing guard Melvin Wandick known to students as “Mr. Melvin.”
“Good morning. Happy Monday. Are we ready to do this?” Wandick says as he waves to cars passing by.
The 72-year-old retiree has been on the corner of Calloway Drive and Holland Street for three years and said it is his newfound love.
Kern County Library keeps kids entertained with summer and fall activities “It’s bringing me joy, every morning I get up in the morning and thank the Lord for letting me get up out of the bed, and I come out here and I hope I can bring a smile to everybody’s face that comes past here,” said Wandick.
And he doesn’t let a tough crowd get him down.
“You don’t expect everyone to wave at you, but you don’t let that kill your joy either because everyone doesn’t wake up having a good morning. But after you’re here for so long they start waving at you,” he said.
“The ones that didn’t wave at you start waving at you.”
Passersby now look for “Mr. Melvin” at his corner each morning on one of the busiest intersections in northwest Bakersfield.
“One woman told me that she didn’t ever come down this street until she came down here one time. Now her child makes her come down here all the time and that makes me feel really good that I was appreciated,” said Wandick.
“We’ve had parents, community members, who don’t even drive this way but start to drive this way just because they want to see him,” said Fruitvale Junior High’s Eric Rouanzion.
League of Dreams celebrates upcoming basketball season with family event That connection makes “Mr. Melvin” more than a crossing guard, but a valuable part of this community’s routine.
“You have a beautiful day” Wandick says as he guides students across the street to school on Monday.
“You literally can’t be in a bad mood when you see Melvin in the morning,” said Fruitvale Junior High’s Diane Davis. “He teaches us all a lesson: You can have a great day, just smile, be kind, say good morning, and bring the energy.”
Wandick plans to remain at his corner each day, smiling, waving, and making sure you always have a good morning.
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