(June 13, 2008) — For the last three years, Balthazar Suarez gained fame among Clark students who felt that his duties went beyond his position as a security guard. On April 11, before the talent show began, Principal Doug Dall made an announcement that Suarez would be retiring from his job that same day. Suarez appeared at the senior prom on May 2, and students took the opportunity to take photos with him. On June 5, at the Staff Appreciation Award assembly, Suarez made a second appearance to the entire school and was received with a welcome of applause and a letter that was written by ASB Director of Publicity Armine Barsegyan. Suarez had also written a letter to the staff and students of Clark, citing medical reasons for his retirement, and told how much he missed everyone. After the assembly, Suarez greeted many students in the main office and told the students that although he wished to be at Clark, his health came first. He doubts that he would return to work although he missed it. “I have nothing against you guys, you’re all great here,” Suarez said. The students’ reactions were generally the same toward his departure. “He was a very kind-hearted man,” junior Mary Tchouvandjian said. “No other security guard could bring what he brought to this school.” Many students cultivated a good relationship with Suarez, as he constantly went out of his way to make students feel comfortable while at school, according to sophomore Alice Balyan. “He did his job as a security guard, but he was basically like a friend,” Balyan said. Several students remember certain encounters with Suarez that created fond memories of him. “Every time my friend Mona and I needed help as freshman, he gave us directions,” Tchouvandjian said. “One time I was late to class and he gave me a ride on his car,” sophomore Valentina Zargaryan said. “Of course I miss you all,” Suarez said. “Coming here was great for me, and I’ll always remember all the students at this school. Things we won’t miss: 1. Late buses 2. Unflushed toilets 3. Long lunch lines 4. Glitchy Computers 5. Computer filters Things we will miss: 1. Robotics 2. Field trips 3. Gruss Class Experiments 4. Non-senior friends