(January 25, 2005) — As your bus makes a right onto New York Ave. you let out a sigh and wonder when the school week will come to an end. Off in the distance you see a small figure directing traffic in and out of the school. Once your bus finally pulls into Clark’s driveway, it is apparent that the figure is that of our recently retired dutiful security guard, Hovanes “Hovik” Kendirjian, directing buses and waving his “good morning” hellos to everyone. Last Friday as each bus pulled into the driveway once again, Kendirjian was not saying hello, but this time was saying goodbye and farewell forever. “It makes me happy to start my day with his warm and welcoming smile always there to greet me,” said sophomore Srbuhi Pogosyan. Kendirjian said he has been working at Clark ever since the school first opened in 1998. After devoting nearly seven years of his life to the school, he is ready to retire. “I’m 66 years old. I’m old. It’s about time I took a break,” said Kendirjian. Kendirjian has been working for the past 52 years of his life. He’s had many jobs, but none compare to the great atmosphere and working conditions he’s had at Clark. “I love everything about Clark,” he said. “The students and staff are all great.” The fine quality of our school kept Kendirjian here for so long, he said. He is extremely thankful to Principal Doug Dall and the whole administration for accepting him into what he likes to call his “second family.” The announcement of his decision to retire was passed along to the students earlier last week, and the students made it their top priority to say their final goodbyes in time. At snack or at lunch students talked to him one-on-one or in groups as they bid their farewells and snuck in a hug or two. “One of the students that I don’t even know came up to me, told me he’d miss me, and gave me a hug,” said Kendirjian. Kendirjian said he has a very special bond with all the students at Clark. From the day they enter Clark to the day they graduate, Kendirjian has watched them develop from tiny kids to mature young adults. “Clark is not Clark without Mr. Hovik,” said junior Tanya Ohanian. “I’m a friend, then a parent, and lastly a security guard. The best way to get through to a student is to get on their level and see things as they see it. I’m a friend when I have to be a friend, and an authority figure when that’s needed,” he said. It’s not easy to control over 1,000 kids each day especially when the ratio is 1 to 1,000. “It’s definitely not a game and requires a lot of hard work,” he said. After retiring, Kendirjian plans to stay at home with his family to be a “great dad and husband. My wife doesn’t believe that I’m ready to retire and tells me I’m still too assiduous to sit at home with nothing to do all day. But I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me busy.” Our new security guard, Zack Shamoyan, who once worked at Glendale High School, started work yesterday. He is licensed by the Department of Justice and has had a background check run on him by the FBI and local police department. Shamoyan has the power to arrest, search and seize, and to carry weapons, except on school grounds. “After seeing the reactions of all the kids [on Friday], I know I have big shoes to fill,” said Shamoyan. He said he plans to work closely with the students and staff to establish a strong relationship with each of them.