Guy Arnold is the Solomon Schools’ glue. His kind eyes and loving smile are both truly one of a kind. Yes, he cleans our school but he is not just a custodian. He is what is known as a jack of all trades. He has held some very interesting occupations.
“I’ve done concert security, I’ve seen AC/DC nine times all [while] being paid and [I] was a photographer, graphic designer, and bartender for a while–I didn’t like how creativity is lost when it’s for a job and has a deadline,” said Guy.
Arnold has had lots of interesting adventures.
“Back in the 90s a band called Pearl Jam [was performing], I was head of security and I was interviewed on tv,” said Guy.
His smile and laugh is known throughout the school’s building. His time here at Solomon has made great relationships with students.
“I've gotten to know him very well,” said Dawson Duryea, Solomon High School Senior. “I would see him in the hallway and make a little joke about his bald head and he would shoot something back. We’ve gotten to be good friends. He's always here. I always try to talk to him after practices. I actually told a bunch of people that he was my SSAG teacher and they believed me. We have a lot of things in common like hard work ethic and motorcycles. I like to tease him about being from California. He's sort of a father figure. I hope to keep the relationship after graduation.”
Arnold has been an iServe custodian for 4 years here at Solomon. His love for children and small town culture brought him here.
“I like working at Solomon because of the people,” said Guy, with his iconic smile. “People are different here, they treat me nicer. iServe was a company that gave me a chance.”
Guy Arnold is a hard worker. He is here before and after school every day.
“I come in at 6:45 A.M sometimes earlier and I leave around 5:30 and 6 P.M,” said Arnold with a sly smile on his face.
His hard work is shown with his steps that have been recorded in his phone.
“[On an average day, I walk] roughly 24,000,” he said. “I already have 12,000 today, an average of 100,000.”
Guy Arnold always has his iconic smile on his face because he enjoys his job.
“I enjoy being around the kids and watching them grow,” Guy said.
Although he loves his job there are sometimes tough times.
“When a toilet breaks,” he says laughing. “Sometimes getting your elbows getting knee deep in someone else’s business isn’t the greatest.”
Arnold’s average day consists of many tasks which most would find tedious but not Guy.
“The first thing I do is turn on all the lights and then check for subs and unlock doors, raise the flag, and then either list of things, or jobs left over from yesterday,” said Arnold.
Guy doesn't have much free time but when he does he said that he enjoys, “photography, playing with my dog, cooking, eating, music,” he says. “And really anything that is relaxing, anything that doesn’t involve a dust pan.”
Guy Arnold has seen a lot of things in his day. He thinks the best advice he can give to us kids is to, “Stay in school, get all the schooling you can get. As you get older it’s harder to get back to school. It can be any type of schooling.”
Photography by Nicole Price