It’s SAS and students are wandering in the halls, running to the parking lot, and checking corners. Students try their best to avoid getting caught by school staff, especially security. When most students see the security guards, it’s an instinct for them to avoid security due to fear of possibly getting in trouble. Contrary to what most students believe, these security guards’ goals aren’t to get students in trouble but rather to help keep students safe.
“It’s all perspective. It’s just kids being kids, learning how to be people, so I don’t take it personally,” said Nick Hurtado, one of the new security guards. Hurtado joined Shorewood beginning in April 2023. So far he’s said that he’s enjoyed working at Shorewood and doesn’t have any plans to leave. “All the admin were very welcoming and friendly,” Hurtado said.
To show Shorewood staff some appreciation for being so welcoming, Hurtado has been baking for some of the Shorewood staff. Huratdo used to be a professional, “I started baking with my first kid at home,” said Hurtado. Hurtado taught himself how to bake bread and when his child got older he got more into it as a career and started to do it professionally for several years. Hurtado said he had to stop baking due to his arthritis in his hip.
However, baking wasn’t the profession Hurtado originally wanted to pursue. Before Hurtado came to Shorewood he worked as a security guard at a medical center. He became a security guard so he could get some experience before pursuing his goal of joining the Seattle Police Department. He had a strong desire to give back to the community he grew up in, Seattle. However, after having a newborn, getting into a new profession, especially becoming a police officer didn’t make sense for him or his family at the time. Hurtado also stated that his job at the medical center was a pretty bad and toxic environment, which helped him finalize his decision to leave.
Shorewood’s other new security guard, Charles Brown, has also worked in a more rigorous job before Shorewood. Previously, Brown worked as a residential counselor at a juvenile facility in Seattle. He worked with kids who needed some extra direction and came up with plans of what was next in their lives. “I chose this job because I wanted to work in a general population with students and be extra support and help as much as I can,” Brown said.
Brown also agrees that Shorewood is a good environment. “You guys pretty much know what you want to do,” he said. “I’m just here for extra support.” Brown’s goal is to become a school counselor he is currently in a program and is planning to stay a security guard at Shorewood for another year then start his internship his third year. He plans to start counseling at a middle school and work his way up to high school.
