Since September, the halls of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) have been a little brighter. Between class periods, amid the rush of students heading to their next class, head custodian Leon Hawksley can always be spotted in colorful Hawaiian shirts splashed with vibrant florals and eye-catching patterns. His celebratory intent was to signal his impending life-changing milestone: his retirement.
“Usually in the summertime, that’s all I wear,” said Leon, of his Hawaiian shirts. “All my summer shirts are like this. And I just looked at these shirts and thought, You know what? It’s time for retirement. I am going to wear something [all year] that says retirement, that says Florida, that says vacation.”
Leon has been a custodian at MVRHS for the past 11 years, having first joined the staff in 2015. “My girlfriend worked in the [MVRHS] cafeteria, and she suggested coming here and getting a job, and she said, ‘You need a job for the future.’ I was a house painter, and there’s no real future in house painting,” he said.
Leon was offered the position of head custodian four years after starting at the school. “I’m getting a better salary here than I was painting houses,” he said, “and all the benefits I get too, like vacations, sick time, and more responsibilities.”
Leon’s favorite parts of the job come down to being there for students. “I love supporting the students. Every time they have a project, or need help with something, they ask, and I’m always willing to help them. We come down here and I get them tools, and certain things they need,” he said.
Over the years, Leon said some of his most memorable moments have come from unexpected acts of appreciation from students. “One time, before I was even head custodian, I was sitting here having my lunch break with the other guys and somebody from the Minnesingers came over and said, ‘Can you come here for a minute?’ So I walked into Abigail [Chandler’s] room, and all the Minnesingers sang me ‘Happy Birthday’!” he said.
Though sometimes overlooked, Leon’s role is essential to the school, as constant upkeep and attention are necessary to support the health and well-being of students and staff.
“My job is to make sure the building is safe and everything is running as smoothly as it can. Day to day, I usually get in at 6:30 in the morning, and I go turn the lights on, open a couple of doors, and make sure everything looks good and is ready for students to come in,” he said.
Junior Eliza Belle Carestia appreciates the work and care Leon continues to put into keeping the school safe. “I appreciate Leon very much for all that he does for the school. He keeps the halls clean and shiny. And he does a lot for the safety of the school too, like making sure everything is working,” she said.
Leon plans to spend his retirement in central Florida, where he wants to pick up new hobbies including weightlifting and golf. Leon said that leaving the MVRHS community will be the hardest part about retirement. “What I’m going to miss the most are the students,” he said. “Just seeing the students in the halls and saying hi to them. I’m going to miss the school, I’m going to miss the staff, just the camaraderie I’ve made through the years with people.”