Leopard Look: Andre Givins

Nick Smith, Editor-in-Chief • March 23, 2018

Student Council surprised janitor Andre Givins by honoring him at a pep rally.

Andre Givins is the head custodian at the high school and was honored at today’s Dude Be Nice pep rally for continued service to the school and dedication to students.

At A Glance

Favorite candy: Reese’s

Best album that students haven’t heard of: “The Blueprint” by Jay-Z

Favorite place to eat with friends or family: Cheddar’s

Worst student fashion trend: Too many to name

Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys

Looking Deeper

The Red Ledger: How long have you worked here, and how did you come to work here?

Andre Givins: I’ve worked here for 12 years and came to work here through a friend of mine, who was the supervisor here when I started. We had both been working at Walmart and didn’t like it, so when he got the position here, he brought me with him.

TRL: Do you have kids in the district?

AG: I have a son and a daughter at Hart.

Shae Daugherty
Gavins thought there was a spill in the gym, but he was surprised when he came to clean it up. As he entered the gym, students cheered and the band played for him.

TRL: What is the oddest thing you’ve found left by a student?

AG: Underwear. Just randomly left here one day.

TRL: How messy would you say the students at the high school are?

AG: If I’m being honest, really bad. There was a food fight here one year, and that was the worst mess I’ve ever had to clean up. The craziest thing about it is that a student at the time named Hunter Pfaff, he was such a good kid, came up to me and offered me $20 because he was so apologetic about what I had to clean up. You kind of saw the bad and the good in the kids on that day.

TRL: Seeing the classes come and go, what are some trends you’ve noticed with the students?

AG: The music. The rap music has gotten progressively worse. It’s all the same in that it glorifies violence and degrades women, but the talent has gone down so much. You and I could probably collaborate and make a great song in this day and age with a good beat.

TRL: What’s the worst day out of the school year for a janitor?

AG: Days where there are multiple events going on at one time. Let’s say there’s something going on in the auditorium, and there’s a game going on in the gym. Those are the days that are really hard because you have to focus so much in your own area while also cleaning up the entire building a second time.

TRL: What’s the best?

AG: Last day of school. We’re all ready for a break.

TRL: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students?

Take your education very seriously. Doesn’t matter if it’s the military or college or a technical school, just continue to pursue some type of education or training outside of high school.

About the Contributors

Nick Smith, TRL Editor-in-Chief

Nick Smith is a senior and has held a US citizenship for 17 years, but is still confused as to why he still doesn't qualify for senior citizen discounts. Nick spends his days either hanging out with friends or living in what he calls his second home, but everyone else just calls the newspaper room. He somehow swung it with the counselors to have three periods of newspaper this year, and now seeks to push his luck by requesting a bed to be furnished in the newspaper room for his afternoon naps. In addition to his duties with The Red Ledger, Nick serves as the self-titled “Chief Player Motivator” for the varsity soccer team. Nick draws his inspiration for his fiery, sometimes over the top speeches from the movie-speech greats: Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday, Matthew McConaughey in We Are Marshall, and of course Denzel Washington in Remember The Titans. This will be Nick’s third year as a part of The Red Ledger staff and first as an Editor-In-Chief. Alongside his fellow EICs Hannah and MC, Nick hopes to further the legacy of The Red Ledger and work to make newspaper the best part of each and every staffers’ day.

Shae Daugherty, Section Editor

It’s Daug·herty, /Dortee/, Daugherty. It’s not that hard. Coaches never get it wrong, and that may have been what drove her to sports photography in the first place. When she isn’t leaving sticky notes all over the newsroom, she’s in the heart of the sideline with a few cameras and a small bag of SD cards. She spends nearly all her time with the Sideline Team, causing trouble or residing in the studio. Her favorite part of football season is the two hours before any game, when the photographers go to dinner, or at least they try to. Shae’s sustained many injuries during her five year run as a sports photographer due to her inability to see players charging at her. Ironically, the Photo Editor is legally blind, and will crack numerous blind jokes, at the disapproval of one Benjamin Nopper. Her goal this year is for The Red Ledger to finally win the Pacemaker, and nothing will stand in her way. Coming in right at 5’10”, she certainly doesn’t need heels, but she wouldn’t be caught dead without them. Let her leave you with this one piece of advice–keep your heels, head and standards high.

Arushi Gupta, Editor-In-Chief

Transitioning into her fourth and final year on staff, senior Arushi Gupta is thrilled to take on the role of Editor-In-Chief. After spending nearly six months at home, Arushi is looking forward to the start of school so that she can have a somewhat normal senior year. Other than newspaper, Arushi is involved in tennis, NHS, and the Thirst Project at school. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, swimming, drinking coffee and binging TV shows on Netflix. Some of her favorite shows include “All American,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Outer Banks” and, of course, “The Office.” Arushi is ecstatic about leading this publication and looks forward to having a great last year on staff.