[brid video=”382299″ player=”13623″ title=”Mr. Ricky Owensboro Times”]
Ideas can come from the most unique places, but it’s when they come from the mouths of children that we truly begin to take notice. When fifth-graders Addilyn Simpson and Layliana Calmese came up with the idea to celebrate “Mr. Ricky Day,” in honor of Tamarack Elementary School’s head custodian, Ricky Young, it did not take long for the school staff and leadership to jump on board.
TES Guidance Counselor Jamie Tipmore was working in the car rider line one morning when the two girls, who assist him, asked to speak with the school principal.
“They said they wanted to go talk to Mrs. Munsey…they said they wanted to do a Mr. Ricky Day,” Tipmore said. “I said, ‘You need to go talk to her about that because that’s a great idea and Mrs. Munsey’s going to love it. We need to go talk to her and we’ll come up with a plan.’”
After incorporating the entire staff and students at every grade level, their plan came to life Thursday, on Valentine’s Day morning, as Tamarack Elementary showered “Mr. Ricky” with love. Students brought Young gift baskets filled with candy and handed him cleaning-themed awards, such as the “golden plunger.”
Students and teachers performed, as Young looked on, wearing a red cape a student had attached around his neck. Finally, Munsey presented Young, a reportedly avid University of Kentucky Wildcats fan, with his final gift — two tickets to a UK basketball game, thanks in part to generous contributions from the staff.
“We feel that Mr. Ricky deserves this day because he makes sure that the classrooms and bathrooms are clean and tidy for the next day,” Simpson said to the bleachers filled with students, staff and visitors. “Making sure kids don’t get sick is one of his top goals. Most parents, like moms and dads, take care of one to 10 kids, but he takes care of 500 plus kids on a daily basis.”
Whether it’s adults visiting their children, or new students touring the school for the first time, Munsey said one of the qualities Tamarack consistently receives compliments on is the cleanliness of their building.
“Mr. Ricky just takes great pride in our school to make sure it’s safe and clean for our students,” Munsey said. “And everything he does, he does with a smile on his face.”
Coming out of the gymnasium, with his red cape still attached, Young was visibly overwhelmed with happiness.
“I never could have dreamed of anything like this,” Young said. “I mean how amazing is that? I mean amazing that anybody would do it, but especially when the students do it.”
Retired Tamarack Elementary School Principal Allison Coomes recalls hiring Young after the Hon plant closed several years ago.
“When the Hon plant closed, several of those folks were taking custodial positions,” Coomes said, adding that Young had also put in an application at Apollo High School.
“I was lucky enough to snatch him up before they [Apollo] had an opening. And Carrie was able to hire him as head custodian.”
Coomes said teachers grew to love Young because he not only anticipated their needs, but also did what needed to be done because he recognized they had other things to do.
“There isn’t a kinder person — he’s such a gentleman with an awesome work ethic,” Coomes said. “He does not stand still. If he ever saw anyone doing something, he took over. He did it for you. He’s just a genuinely good guy.”
According to Coomes, there was even a time when Young made the decision to leave Tamarack to go to work at another plant where he would be able to make more money.
“Before the paperwork even went through, he came back. Everyone was so so happy to have him back at Tamarack,” Coomes said. “Sometimes the pay is not worth the happiness of your job and he was just happy there [at Tamarack]. It’s hard to find those people, and when you do find those people, you treasure them.”
