Sitting at a table adorned with Mexican flags on the Caldwell Pool lawn, members of the Facilities staff laughed together in Spanish between bites of carne asada, rice, beans and trés leche cake. “The food? It’s delicious!” maintenance/ facilities engineer Antonio Guzman declared.
The Cinco de Mayo-themed luncheon organized by the Parents’ Association and catered by Café M, celebrated the Mexican holiday, albeit on May 4, as well as the work of the Facilities and Security staffs. Cinco de Mayo, which means May 5 in English, is a festival marking the 1862 victory of the Mexican army in resisting French conquest, and now entails a day with family and friends for the members of the facilities and security staffs who are of Mexican descent.
Plans for the next day’s celebration included hosting a barbeque and attending a carnival on Olvera Street, complete with Mexican food, dancing and mariachi music. “[Cinco de Mayo] celebrates the friendship of Mexicans,” security guard Juan Mejia explained. He likened the festive day to the 4th of July for Americans. Even facilities and security staff members not belonging to the Mexican-American community recognized the significance of the holiday. “I celebrate for the Latinos, for their culture,” security staff member Debra Jordan shared.
The Parents’ Association dedicates the annual luncheon to the facilities and security staff in appreciation of their assistance throughout the year. “They are so wonderful to us,” Parents’ Association Co-President and mother of Clara ’14 Winne Mokri said, citing the facilities staffs’ help with setting up chairs and operating information technology for numerous meetings throughout each school year.
Although most students were unaware of the luncheon, many nevertheless expressed gratitude for the facilities and security staffs. Josephine Cassens ’16 said that she was thankful for the security staff’s protection and affability. Jordan said that she felt honored by the appreciation shown by the Marlborough community.
On the same day that the Parents’ Association recognized the facilities and security staff members who have worked at Marlborough during the 2011-12 school year through the luncheon, the School welcomed a new security guard. Leo Murillo joined the Marlborough security staff after working security at Century City Mall for six months. Previously, Murillo served as a Navy medic for seven years.
