Creve Coeur — CREVE COEUR, Mo. – Students all over the bi-state are counting down the days until summer vacation begins. Before the final bell rings, we want to take a minute to salute the teachers and staff that make a huge impact on our kids.
You have to see a local janitor that carries a tune and a powerful message.
Inside Parkway Northeast Middle School you'll find custodian Darryl Lewis doing the job he's paid to do. You'll also find him doing a job he loves to do: giving students hi-fives and words of encouragement as they walk to class. In his first year as a janitor, he's quickly become a hallway staple.
"He's really great, He has a handshake with most of the kids at the school. If you need to talk to someone he is someone you could go to," said seventh-grade student Roxana Abdelghafoor.
"I think he's awesome. he's a great person. Usually, people would just be janitors, but he is more than that. He checks in to see how your day is, asks you questions. He loves the students and kids, said middle school student Jason Jackson.
When Lewis isn't cleaning, he's connecting with students. His words carry power and so does his singing voice. You can find him on "Karaoke Friday's" in the choir room belting out his favorite gospel hymns.
"I knew he was a good janitor but i didn't know he had a voice that could overwhelm me like that," said Abdelghafoor.
In this school he's known as the singing janitor. It's a title he loves.
"I laugh and it brings me joy. It also shows they are paying attention. They know If I'm not singing something must be wrong."
"At a lot of schools someone in his position may not be looked at in the spotlight but when he comes into the choir room everyone looks up to him and it's authentic too," said choir director Jordan Black.
Do what you love. That's his message to the students.
"I hope it inspires them. They can do whatever is in their heart," said Lewis.
The marquee outside the school reads "What will be your legacy?" Lewis is proving legacy is not about the amount of time on the job, it's about impact.
