The Man Behind the Cleaning Supplies: Sean Seckman
The Man, the Myth, the Legend:
How many of us can say that we truly know the custodians here at good ole’ Licking Valley? Probably not many. But it’s time to change that. This article’s School Spotlight is on the one and only, Sean Seckman.
Mr. Seckman, you’ve probably seen him around school working hard and keeping his hair tied up in the fashionable “man-bun.” Seckman has been working as a custodian at Licking Valley for about eight years. He finished school at Worthington Kilbourne (pictured at right), located in Columbus, Ohio. His wife, however, graduated from Valley in 1999.
Mr. Seckman did not begin his career journey in janitorial duties, however, his background is actually in maintenance and repair. Working for a window manufacturer, Seckman made windows, doors, patio rooms, vinyl decks, and other hands-on built items. Seckman stated that he “did a lot of repair work… [and he did] janitorial cleaning stuff during the day but also a lot of maintenance and maintaining and keeping track of mechanical parts in the building.” He then became a custodian at Licking Valley in 2011.
What Other Students Wanted to Know…
When asked what the absolute worst place to clean was Mr. Seckman said without hesitation, “Oh it’s always gotta be a bathroom somewhere [laughter], but [it] can also be the Commons after lunch.” Along with that, I also asked Mr. Seckman what memory stuck out to him the most at Valley, out of all the things he had to clean. His response to this was vague, but I was able to get the whole story from Mrs. Adkins. When asked this question, Mr. Seckman replied, “Oh, trying to take care of some of the snow art we’ve had in the past, I won’t go too deep into the conversation but Mrs. Adkins will understand… [laughter]. But that’s probably one of the hardest things cause when they make things in snow it’s hard to make them go away...” Mrs. Adkins was eager to finish off Mr. Seckman’s wild story.
About five years ago, a now former Licking Valley graduate decided to create some “art” on the bank of the hill directly behind the English hallway. The heart of February brought heavy, freezing snow that was just perfect for packing. This student brought it upon themselves an idea that would burn a memory in Mr. Seckman’s (and the other teachers at Valley at the time) mind forever. The former Valley graduate created a huge, horizontal representation of an inappropriate body part. The freezing weather made it impossible to disintegrate the art, so the staff had to wait for the sculpture to melt. Genius.
What Can YOU do to Make the Buildings Custodians Jobs Easier?
“Just be respectful of the building and know that we all work really hard to keep everything the way it is. My guys are particular on the floors and take pride in everything they do so when the students take pride in what we’ve done and take care of it, it makes everybody very happy.”
So, next time you see a piece of paper, wrapper, or any kind of trash on the floor, be kind and pick it up, even if it’s not yours. Be appreciative, respectful, and thoughtful. And always remember the people working so hard to provide us with a clean, healthy school.
INTERVIEW WITH SEAN SECKMAN
How long have you been a janitor at Valley?
~I started December, 2011, so, a few years [laughter].
Were you a janitor at any other school before hand?
~No, I was uh, my background is in maintenance and repair, uh I worked for a window manufacturer that made windows,doors, patio rooms, vinyl decks and stuff like that, so I did a lot of repair work for that and in this position I do janitorial cleaning stuff during the day but also a lot of maintenance and maintaining and keeping track of mechanical parts in the building.
Did you graduate from valley?
~I did not, I went to worthington Kilbourne, my wife actually graduated from here [valley] back in ‘99.
WHAT OTHER STUDENTS WANTED TO KNOW….
What’s the worst place to clean?
~Oh it’s always gotta be a bathroom somewhere [laughter], but also can be the commons after lunch.
Is there any certain memory that sticks out to you working here?
~Oh, trying to take care of some of the snow art we’ve had in the past, I won’t go too deep into the conversation but Mrs. Adkins will understand… [laughter]. But that’s probably one of the hardest things cause when they make things in snow it’s hard to make them go away.
Que Mrs. Adkins’ story
Is there anything the student body can do to make your job easier?
~Just be respectful of the building and know that we all work really hard to keep everything the way it is. My guys are particular on the floors and take pride in everything they do so when the students take pride in what we’ve done and take care of it, it makes everybody very happy.