Every school has those people who quietly keep everything together. We may not always notice them due to the hustle and bustle of students’ lives. They may not always stand at the front of the classroom or receive recognition at community, but without them, daily life at Marymount would look very different. From facilities team member Andrew Enriquez who cares for the campus before sunrise to the attendance manager Ms. Patino who manages the constant flow of students during early mornings, these two people help shape Marymount.
For facilities team member Andrew, the work he does each day may not seem noticeable at first glance, but it impacts all of us more than we know. “I don’t think the whole school would fall apart if I missed something,” he explained, “but it could ruin someone’s day.” Andrew specifically mentioned caring for Marymount’s swimming pool, explaining that if something is not running properly, it can completely affect swim practice and the athletes who rely on it.
Beyond maintenance work, he also sees supporting students and staff as part of his role. It is common to find him talking with someone around campus, helping wherever he can. Having spent time on campus both early in the morning and late at night, Andrew says the school feels completely different when it is empty. “By yourself, it’s creepy,” he said jokingly. He described Admin as especially strange at night because every sound echoes through the empty halls. One night, during a campus emergency around midnight when the power was out, he could hear workers from the Department of Water and Power and the Fire Department talking outside on Sunset while he was standing inside the building.
When asked what message he would give students about caring for their “second home,” Andrew answered immediately: “Pick up after yourself!” His message held a deeper meaning as he went on. He reflected on the pride he has seen from Marymount alumnae during his two years working at the school. He recalled alumnae visiting campus on weekends just to walk through buildings connected to their memories. “Why wait to show that pride later?” he said. “Do it now.”
Outside of work, Andrew describes himself as “a husband, a father of three, and a coffee snob.” He enjoys joking around and having conversations with everyone, so if you ever see Andrew on campus, don’t be afraid to say hi and thank him for all of the work that he does!
For many students, the front office is the first stop of the day, whether for an off-campus permit or to check in for flex. The person you greet is Ms. Patino. As someone who is often the first person students and parents see when they are stressed or overwhelmed, she has learned how to stay calm under pressure. “Try not to think about everything, and do one thing at a time,” she says. She notes that mornings are especially busy, with students constantly checking in before the first period of the day begins.
After 32 years at Marymount, Ms. Patino has watched generations of students grow from nervous freshmen into graduating seniors. Through all those years of change, she has remained a familiar and steady presence for students every morning. She described the experience as rewarding, saying it has been amazing to watch students mature over their four years at the school.
When asked how many “small” problems she solves in a single day, she laughed and answered, “Too many off-campus permits and pink slips” (with students trying to leave school early). As this school year marks her final year before retirement, Ms. Patino reflected on how much Marymount has meant to her. She calls the school her “second home” and says she is excited to travel after retiring.
Ms. Patino will certainly be missed. For decades, students have started their mornings seeing Ms. Patino in the office, making her not just part of Marymount’s routine, but making her a constant in students’ lives.
While students may remember classes, grades, and school events, people like Andrew Enriquez and Ms. Patino are often the ones who quietly shape the everyday experience of being at Marymount. They remind us that a school is not only built by teachers and students, but also by the people constantly working behind the scenes to make it feel like home.