At the end of the day when students are leaving, whether they’re exhausted, failed a test, or feeling anxious from academic stress, Aegis security guard Lashaun W. is always there giving out fist bumps to every student while saying his signature send-off: “peace and love”– among other positive affirmations.

Lashaun works for Aegis Security & Investigations, a company that provides security services for numerous facilities including schools. The security guard personnel at Granada Hills Charter (GHC) ensure a safe learning environment for many students. As a company, Aegis prides themselves on their staff that serve as role models in addition to providing security. Lashaun goes above and beyond with this ideology.

“When you’re an adult you got to be the adult you wanted or needed as a kid,” LaShaun said. ‘I try to be that for you guys.”

He believes supporting students is a responsibility that should be shared by the entire staff. To him, every adult on campus plays a role in shaping students’ lives and helps set the example for the people they become.

“I think every adult or every person on the staff should try to have an impact on you guys because you guys are the future,” Lashaun said.

His support doesn’t end at the school gates; it radiates across campus. Lashaun brings the same warmth and encouragement during the school day and during dismissal. His impact is demonstrated every day through his brief interactions, whether it be by the gate or on the school grounds. He uplifts students through his verbal support, such as cheering on the G-Notes Choir during rehearsal. Choir members were happy he took the time to compliment them, making the rest of rehearsal more enjoyable.

“Interacting with you guys is my favorite part of the job,” Lashaun said. “You guys are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met in my life.” Engaging with students is something he genuinely enjoys and his outgoingness is a trait he’s carried with him for his entire life. He consistently makes an effort to communicate with students when they’re leaving school and when he receives that same energy, it makes him feel valued.

His favorite work memory was when the volleyball team made him a fully signed card for his birthday. “He does everything he can to come to our games and always supports the team whenever he has the chance,” senior Ella Arazm said. “He always puts a smile on everyone’s face so we wanted to celebrate him for his birthday.”

When he received this card, he felt extremely appreciated and cried from joy. Volleyball isn’t the only team he shows support for. At football games, while safeguarding the campus, he also takes the opportunity to hype up students who perform.

“After finishing performing Senior Night halftime, he complimented our dance moves and said he can see how hard we worked and the endless work we put into our dances,” senior and dance team member Leila Tolentino said. “His positive attitude lingered in our minds. He is always what we talk about when leaving school, as he stands near the gates and says affirming words to students like ‘One day down– and many more days to go that you will get through.’” Although students’ interactions with him are short, the impact these moments have on them are long-lasting.

LaShaun’s support also extends to other performing arts. At the Homecoming football game when the band was waiting to perform on the sidelines, LaShaun walked by the band and hyped them up before they played. Students reciprocated that same energy by giving him fist bumps and making small talk with him.

“He would always shout out supportive comments like how we’re the best band and how there’s no football game without the band and just spread the good vibes around,” sophomore Anthony Aguilar said. “It would make me feel inspired and hyped up to play in front of the humongous crowd of people in the stands.”

Judging based off of their smiles and replies of appreciation, LaShaun’s encouraging words lifted the spirits of the band and other clubs after the homecoming parade.

Lashaun often inspires and helps students on campus by offering them advice from personal experience. His most crucial advice he wants students to take from him is, “Just always never give up,” Lashaun said. “You know never give up on anything in life. No matter how hard it is, how imperfect it might seem, just never give up and just try to be the change that you would want to see in the world.”

Lashaun shows how powerful it can be to offer a moment of genuine care, a lesson we can all learn from.