William Young has been on a roll lately. The Herndon High School building supervisor was named one of two Fairfax County Public Schools Support Employees of the Year in late April. A day later, he found out he was one of 10 people to be honored with the A. Heath Onthank Award, which is awarded to Fairfax County and school-system employees for outstanding public service. And later this month, he and his wife celebrate 16 years of marriage and go to settlement on a new house in Warrenton.
"No, I didn't play the lottery this weekend. I didn't want to press my luck," he said Monday morning.
NANCY BARRON, Herndon's assistant principal for administrative services, had no doubt when she nominated Young for both awards that he would win.
"I would have been surprised if he hadn't won," she said. "He is definitely worthy of the award."
Barron said Young's work ethic is an inspiration to everyone at the school. She said he is dedicated to doing the best job possible, stays until it is completed and never makes a person wait when something needs to be done.
"Bill has something extra. He will go out of his way to make sure it's done correctly," Barron said. "He has led custodial teams at every place he has been at to awards."
In his three years at Herndon, the custodial team has been honored for being the top team in Cluster I — three years running — as well being recognized for having the least security violations and cleanest school. In addition, Young has received the school system's Outstanding Performance Award and was the Herndon Optimist Person of the Year, both in 2003.
"It couldn't happen to a nicer person," Barron said. "He's a humble person who said [at the support employee nominee interviews] you don't have to talk about what you've done — meaning you lead by your example."
YOUNG GREW UP poor in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, where he learned his work ethic from his father.
"My daddy worked in the coal mines to support six kids. He taught us, if we want something, we've got to work hard," Young. "He also taught me, if you are working hard in a job, then you don't have to tell people what you're doing. They'll see it. That's why I always give it 150 percent all the time, especially when people are counting on me."
Young started with the school system 15 years ago as an entry-level custodian and rose through the ranks, working in schools at every level. He said that experience has helped him in his capacity of supervisor.
"I understand where my staff is coming from. I've been there," Young said.
He also doesn't have a problem getting his hands dirty. He often works alongside his staff on cafeteria duty, landscaping or cleaning the halls. Moreover, he has a way with his staff.
"Bill knows every corner of this building," said Tom Boulom, one of Bill's four assistants. "He knows how to place people on the right jobs.
"In this business, we have a multiracial team here under his supervision. People with different languages, different cultures. Bill has to patch that hole and he does an excellent job."
UNDER YOUNG'S leadership, Herndon High has become one of three training centers for custodians. So he oversees a team of 15 regular staff, along with five trainees.
"I've been fortunate, I have had a good staff overall," Young said. "I have a lot of gratitude to offer my staff."
He said his goal is for people to drive up to the school and feel Herndon is a safe and clean environment for their children. He and his staff are also there to dole out advice when need be.
Students who find themselves in trouble with the juvenile courts often perform community service at the school. And those who misbehave at school can be assigned to help clean as part of after-school detention.
"Sometimes kids stray off the path … and make mistakes," Young said. "It's fun to work with them. They have fresh minds and we try to work with them and tell them don't do stupid stuff."
Young remembers one girl who had to perform community service off and on for three months after becoming involved in drugs. He talked to her about the dangers of what she was doing. He said he saw the girl later and she was doing much better.
"Not that I'm totally responsible, but it feels good knowing I might have helped," Young said. "When you come from a poor family where all you have is each other, you appreciate every little thing. That's what we try to tell them."
YOUNG SAID he still has another 15 years to go before he retires from the school system, at which time he might go back to school. Although, he looks forward to attending college, he is not sure what he would study.
"I still don't know what I want to do. I really like what I'm doing," Young said. "… This is a good job and I really appreciate everything. And it sure beats working in the coal mines."