When Maintenance Technician Brian Hawthorne began working for Shorecrest, he found a friend in former Maintenance Technician Steven Lowe, whom he joined in dancing and waving goodbye to students at carline while wearing silly hats. Hawthorne’s infectious dancing reinforced his memorable place in the Shorecrest community, along with the new hats and capes he brought to carline.
Hawthorne said, “I come from a background of street performing: juggling, magic, stuff like that…They [Shorecrest students] started to bring out the young in me, the youth that I missed, the imagination, the stuff that I did when I was younger.”
Hawthorne’s presence made the mornings of many. Junior Bella Hursey said, “Even in middle school, I would drive by and he’d be out there doing his thing, and it made me happy in the mornings.”
Hawthorne’s presence was also appreciated beyond Shorecrest. A Goodwill employee in risk management Sandra Lewis drives by Shorecrest every morning on her way to work. Lewis said, “I didn’t know him [Hawthorne], all I know is he made my morning a very happy morning every time I drove by your school.”
This past winter break, controversy arose when Hawthorne was moved from his position at the school’s front entrance, where he danced and wore fun hats every morning at carline.
On this position change, Head of School Nancy Spencer said, “Just like teachers, our facility staff takes on new roles and responsibilities all throughout the school year… This was an instance where a member of the facilities staff moved from one carline location to another.”
However, to the community, Hawthorne’s move was felt deeply. In response to the move, Shorecrest parent Sara Furness created a petition on change.org to “Bring back Brian” to morning carline. The petition was widely shared among students and parents, earning—to date—743 signatures.
Members of the Shorecrest community left comments on the petition expressing their wish for Hawthorne to return to carline. Abigail Reynolds said, “We hope the administration listens to our families. We feel strongly he has a place greeting us with dances and silly hats. He is MORE than just a maintenance man.”
Kathleen Dougherty said, “Since we started at Shorecrest two years ago, he’s been part of our morning and certainly the most fun part of carline. I always thought he was a great ambassador for the enthusiasm and welcoming attitude that kids should be greeted with at school.” Hawthorne has not been moved back yet, despite the petition.
Nonetheless, the response to Hawthorne’s move reflects the passion in Shorecrest’s community. Spencer said, “The outpouring of support speaks to how wonderful our community is, and how strongly connected parents and students feel to the members of our staff. It demonstrates our strong sense of community, which is what makes Shorecrest so special.”
