This week, Ventura Charter School recognized Braulio Medina, lead custodian and the heart of the school for more than ten years, with four days of celebration. The event was named iCeleBraulio! in honor of the eponymous Medina. The week-long celebration spans four days with students and staff participating in themed spirit days for each day of the short week. Tuesday, Martes de Bigote, students from every grade sported Braulio’s signature mustache. On Wednesday, for Consejos de Braulio, students crafted thank you messages with wise words Braulio has shared with students and staff over the last decade. Thursday’s iCeleBraulio! was a special lunch-time celebration and clean-up. And for Festejos Friday, students will present Braulio with a personalized thank you video.

“Every day I’m on campus is a celebration for me,” said Braulio Medina, Lead Custodian/Campus Supervisor, “I did not expect to be recognized like this. It warms my heart and seeing the students with their moustaches made me smile and laugh. Behind every moustache is a big heart.” Braulio has been a part of Ventura Charter School for 11 years and has made an unforgettable impact on students. In a school of over 400 students, Braulio Medina knows every student by name.

On Thursday, students and staff participated in iCeleBraulio!, a special lunch time celebration. The event featured a schoolwide cleanup activity that was accompanied by celebratory background music and included participation from students and staff who were excited to show Braulio their appreciation for his work. Students embraced the occasion by wearing moustaches from their Bigote Tuesday spirit celebration, adding a playful and lively touch. During the celebration, students presented Braulio with the Consejos de Braulio cards they made in his honor.

Braulio is a part of the Ventura Charter School team, caring for the campus and inspiring those around him. Students feel seen by Braulio and alumni return to see him often, sharing both life's celebrations and challenges with Braulio who offers words of wisdom to each of them. “We are lucky to have someone on our team who is as caring and thoughtful as Braulio,” said Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of Ventura Charter School, “Our students learn so much from him; he is the heart of our school.”