Janitor Gets an Incredible And Well Deserved Honor
For 39 years, Marilyn Hampton made it her mission to brighten children's days at a Texas school district. Now, the woman who once believed she had failed because she never went to college is about to have an elementary school named in her honor.
Hampton, 76, spent nearly four decades working as a custodian for Aubrey Independent School District, but her impact went far beyond keeping school buildings clean. She helped students with their schoolwork, bought supplies for children who needed them, worked the ticket booth at football games, and became a source of encouragement for generations of students and staff. Her philosophy was simple. "When I could help a kid and turn their smile up instead of down, that's what I wanted to do," she said.
It's the kind of everyday kindness that has defined Hampton's life. And now, her community is making sure that kindness will never be forgotten. At a recent school board meeting, Hampton was invited to speak about a school-related issue. But she had no idea the district had a very different reason for bringing her to the podium. Aubrey ISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor asked Hampton to help with one final task. "You deserve a red-carpet rollout," Saylor told her.
Hampton was asked to unroll a small red carpet. At first, she didn't seem to understand what she was looking at. Then she noticed the name printed on it. Marilyn Hampton Elementary School. The beloved former custodian could barely believe her eyes. "Oh, my goodness," she exclaimed as tears filled her eyes. "Oh God, y'all are the best!"
The school board also gave her a T-shirt bearing the school's new name, giving her a keepsake to treasure while the building is completed. Looking down at the shirt, she was overcome with emotion once again.
