While his job was to keep the school hallways clean, his impact went much further: it affected the lives of the students who walked there.
On Wednesday, staff and students at Winnipeg’s Oak Park High School celebrated the career of Kerry Laing, the longtime custodian.
After 20 years at Oak Park High School, Laing is retiring, but not before students can give him a proper expulsion. On Wednesday, the school surprised Liang with a special assembly in his honor, with a makeshift throne and a standing ovation.
The school is recognizing the contributions Laing has made over the past two decades.
Oak Park High School principal Troy Scott told CTV News Laing, who happens to be an Oak Park alumnus, has embodied the school’s values of respect, positivity, and community.
“Gold standard custody, amazing human being, Raider legend,” Scott said in a Twitter post.
Scott said Laing will be remembered at school for always helping with a smile on his face.