Standing Tall in the Halls

By Hannah Boufford and Hannah Hutchins

Layout by Hannah Boufford
In the parking lot. At the front desk. Stationed in the hallways. Libertyville High Schools security team has a ubiquitous presence at school. Each
member of the team brings their own unique traits to the job, allowing the group to function dynamically with wide ranges of knowledge and experience. From being police officers to professional baseball players to fire chiefs, the LHS security team has done it all.
Among their responsibilities here, security is in charge of scanning in visitors to the school at the main and studio theatre entrances, checking over
50 exterior doors, and being visible and available in the hallways. This team of eight professionals have the security of the building and safety of
students as a top priority. However, interacting with students and forming relationships with them come as a close second.
Each of the eight security guards said that interacting and forming relationships with students as they mature in their four years at LHS is one of the
best parts of the job.
They teach me a lot, and we teach each other a lot, Ms. Joan Boro said, regarding the students.
Head of security Mr. Mike Dolan commented, Its fun, every day is a little bit different, and you know, we just all really enjoy it. We really enjoy
your company and seeing your faces everyday.

Mike Dolan
Head of Security

As head of the security and safety department, Mr. Mike Dolan is the longest-tenured security guard at LHS.
He is currently completing his eighth year as part of the LHS security team. In his position as head of security,
he is not only responsible for the safety of the building, but he also helps manage the team and give our scheduling assignments.
I think the biggest thing is you cant take yourself too seriously, you know, by saying youre head of the
department because Ive got pretty, pretty sharp people working for me, Mr. Dolan said.
However, his eight years in security havent been his only years at Libertyville High School. Mr. Dolan
grew up in the town and graduated from LHS. Mr. Dolan played soccer, ran cross country, and played a bit of
football and baseball. He also participated in Student Council and was a member of the L Club, designed for
athletes who had won major awards in their sports. His three children also graduated from Libertyville.
From there, he went to Illinois State University for college and got a job as a firefighter. He spent nearly 33
years in this position, 30 with the Libertyville Fire Department, and received many awards and accomplishments. Among them, he retains a certificate from the federal government deeming him as an executive fire
officer and has three archived research papers in National Fire Academys library. He was also a paramedic
for 25 years, per requirement. From 1975-79, Mr. Dolan was a firefighter and paramedic for Lake Forest Fire
Department, and in 1979, he became a firefighter and paramedic for Libertyville. In 1996, Mr. Dolan was
promoted to Lieutenant, and, in 1997, he was again promoted, to Assistant Chief.
I was also in one of the first three or four paramedic classes in Northern Illinois, he further explained via
email. Guess you could say I was a pioneer of sorts.
Mr. Dolan retired from his position as Assistant Fire Chief in November 2007 and took a job as a security
guard at LHS. Throughout the past eight years, his favorite part is watching the students mature every year
between their freshmen and senior years.
This is an outstanding group of kids, and Im just glad to say that I know a lot of you guys, he said about
the senior class in particular.

Photos above by Blair Abington

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Tim Akers, Security Guard

Meet Tim Akers, or just Akers, as he is known to most students. As a part of the security and safety team,
Akers job is to watch the doors, direct traffic, roam the building, and most importantly, make sure the students
at LHS are safe.
Its an unfortunate position that we have to have, but Im glad to be able to be a part of a team that helps
monitor the safety of the students and assist with providing a safe place where students can come for their
education, Akers said
Unlike most of the guards, Akers doesnt come from a law enforcement background. Before joining the
LHS security staff, Akers was a substitute teacher, and before that, he was a minister. Akers was involved with
youth ministry at a church in Wisconsin, but chose to leave to pursue other career options. As a security guard,
Akers is able to interact with kids on a daily basis, which he enjoys. This is Akers third year as a security
guard at LHS, and he loves the Libertyville community.
I just think Libertyville High School is a great place with a lot of opportunities, and Im glad to be able to
be a part of it, said Akers.

Photo by Blair Abington

Joan Boro, Security Guard

While most students know Ms. Joan Boro for her position as the only female on the security team, they probably dont know about her volunteer work.
For about 20 years, Ms. Boro has been using her free time, and living space, to help foster dogs. Eight years
ago, Ms. Boro helped found Underdog Rescue, a volunteer-based, non-profit foundation that helps rescue dogs
and find them homes. In eight years, she has helped others adopt more than 600 dogs.
She also worked with a phone company for 22 years and was a 911 dispatcher for a little bit, providing her
with background in management, emergency, and awareness.
Ms. Boros favorite aspect of her security job is knowing and interacting with the students while protecting
them at the same time. Not only does Ms. Boro enjoy the relationships formed with students in her job, but the
atmosphere appeals to her as well.
I enjoy just the environment altogether. You know, participating in all the different events and seeing the
accomplishments within the school that the students have... whether it be for theater, for choir, for football or
sports, she said. Just knowing that and seeing that, and seeing the level of energy -- its a good feeling.

Photo by Blair Abington

Dave Field, Security Guard

From deputy chief to private investigator to LHS security guard, Mr. Dave Field has done it all.
I was a police officer for 32 years. I retired as a deputy chief from Lake Forest Police Department, said
Mr. Field.
After attending Western Illinois University for law enforcement, Mr. Field immediately began working for
the LFPD, eventually rising to position of deputy chief. However, he didnt originally want to go into law
enforcement. Mr. Field had always wanted to be a park ranger, but due to the lack of contact with people, he
decided to take another route.
At the age of 55, Mr. Field retired, and soon joined a friends private investigating company. After a few
years with the company, Mr. Field decided to look for alternative options, and saw the ad for a security position. Mr. Field has lived in Libertyville most of his life, and decided that becoming a security guard would be
his way of giving back to the community he has been a part of.
You want to give back. After living here and raising my kids in this town, you just want to give back, Mr.
Field said.

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Photo by Hannah Boufford

Donald DJ Johnson, Security Guard

Photo by Hannah Boufford

Mr. Donald Johnson, more affectionately known as DJ to most of LHS, has been working at LHS for 21
years. He received an undergraduate degree in radio, TV, and film and a masters degree in journalism from
Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, where he also played football.
After graduating, he worked for CBS in Greensboro, North Carolina; NBC in Charlottesville, Virginia; and
NBC in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was also a general assignment reporter. He then came to Libertyville in
1993, working as the head of media at LHS for 16 years. He taught a media course and ran CatTV, and under
his lead, the program started video streaming on the Internet. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, DJ
also helped coach football with Coach Kuceyeski.
Though DJ occasionally still works for FOX Sports Net as a broadcaster, he became a security guard about
six years ago when the security department was shifting their duties and responsibilities. DJ also explained
that, due to additional department shifting, he currently works as a study hall and cafeteria monitor but still
retains a security title. In this role, DJs number one priority is to keep people safe. He also loves to interact
with students and form relationships with teachers and staff members.
You realize, too, later on when people become adults, maybe you dont think youre having the impact that
you think youre having on them, and you see them when theyre grown up and they come and go Oh, Mr.
Johnson! By the way, I appreciate what you said or did and thats when you realize that your role is important,
no matter how small or large, DJ said. In this community of students and people, your role is important.

Pat Kelly, Security Guard

As the newest face of LHS security, Mr. Pat Kelly takes his job very seriously.
I take pride in what I do and do it to the best of my ability, Mr. Kelly said. Mr. Kelly began working at
LHS three years ago as a lunch room and study hall monitor and this year, he was officially added on to the
security and safety team.
Before Mr. Kelly worked at the school, he worked at the Mercantile Exchange in the Chicago Board of
Trade for 16 years. Before that, Mr. Kelly was a minor league baseball player for the Atlanta Braves and the
Toronto Blue Jays organizations. Due to his love of sports, Mr. Kelly helps coach the freshman girls basketball
team, an activity he said he loves doing.
Mr. Kelly enjoys being a part of the security team and being able to get to know the students, as well as the
staff.
Its a pleasure coming to work everyday, and in life, if you can enjoy coming to work every day, or enjoy
going to school, or whatever you end up doing if you enjoy it, thats all you can ask for, Mr. Kelly said.

Photo by Blair Abington

John Linden, Security Guard

Photo by Blair Abington

Prior to becoming an LHS security guard nearly three years ago, Mr. John Linden was a police officer. He
spent 30 of those 34 years at the Glenview Police Department, though he lived and raised his three sons in
Libertyville.
As an officer, Mr. Linden worked undercover narcotics, was a deputy in a rural area of the state, and then
worked more patrol jobs while working at the Glenview PD. While there, he was a detective for five years,
before spending another five years in the public relations. To around 14 schools, he was known as Officer
Friendly. During this time, he finished his masters degree in education, helped write health and safety programs for kids, and was a school resource officer.
I was in a middle school for a year, and then, after that, I got promoted, so I went back to patrol, Mr.
Linden explained. I ended up as Commander overseeing the facility and all the equipment for the police
department. He was also in charge of all training.
After 34 years as police officer, Mr. Linden retired because the timing was right.
I wanted to leave at a young enough age where I could do something and enjoy it, and not stick around too
long, but I still maximized my pension, he said.
As a security guard, he feels that his police experience has helped him in his position and allowed him to
teach others, as well as learn from them. His favorite part of the job in interacting with students, watching
them grow and getting to know them on a personal level.
I try to have fun with the kids, he said. Were here to help protect them and keep them safe, but theres
no reason why you cant do that in a fun, lively, engaging way.

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Mike Madden, Security Guard

Mr. Mike Madden is the man most athletes, performers, and club members are familiar with. Mr. Madden is
the night guard at LHS, with a shift from 1:30 to 10 p.m. However, most students dont know his actual name.
Mr. Madden gained the nickname Moose in high school wrestling.
There was a professional wrestler called Moose at the time I was in high school. I mean, I dont know why
people think I look like a moose, but it stuck, Mr. Madden said.
Mr. Madden graduated college with a degree in biology and soon worked several different security jobs before
going into the microfilm business. Soon after, Madden got a job consulting, and later went on to go into the
consulting business on his own.
When I went into business myself consulting, I was primarily helping with productivity improvement in
businesses, Mr. Madden said. I traveled the world, I was all over, mostly remote areas.
After traveling the world helping with different businesses, Mr. Madden decided to leave that job and pursue
another one. He decided to go back into security, as he was familiar with it and wanted to stay active.
Im not one to stay retired, I like being with people. I think it keeps me younger, being around the kids,
said Mr. Madden.

Photo by Hannah Boufford

Photo by Hannah Boufford

Photo by Hannah Boufford

MEET THE MONITORS

Sheryl Barbian
3 years at LHS
Position: In-School Detention
Monitor

Diane Bauer
10 years at LHS
Position: Cafeteria Monitor

Kim Booy
2 years at LHS
Position: Cafeteria Monitor

Photo by Hannah Boufford

Photo by Blair Abington

Photo by Hannah Boufford

Also creates the School News

links on the lhswildcats.org
homepage

Minerva Lara
About 14 years at LHS
Position: Monitor

10 years at LHS
5 years in security
Position: Cafeteria Monitor

Nickname: Minnie

Feature

Joe Ravagni

Also known as: Coach Joe

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