Mill Road pathway dedicated to Paul Menz

For many, the highlight of the Mill Road Elementary Wellness Fair Oct. 16 came in the very beginning.

While attendees knew the district would officially open the paved trail behind the school to kick off the festivities, they didn’t know the pathway would be dedicated to a special member of the community: Paul Menz, Mill Road’s head custodian, who has been at the school for 40 years.

“Over the summer, Dr. (Janet) Warden came to me and within 30 seconds we figured out who should have the pathway dedicated to them,” Mill Road Principal Dr. Brian Boyd explained to the crowd.

Menz, who was told the pathway would bear his name four days earlier, wiped a tear from his cheek as he listened to Boyd speak, with family members behind him.

“Paul has been the person behind the scenes for countless ice cream socials, kindergarten graduations, fifth-grade celebrations, preparing the school and the grounds for the school year each summer,” Boyd said. “He does it with a big smile on his face and he has this heartfelt motto that he always says – ‘Hey, we’re working together and it’s all for the kids.’ Everything he’s done here for the past four decades has made Mill Road the special place that it is. We know how lucky we are to have him on a daily basis."

The plaque that will hang by the pathway includes not only Paul Menz’s name but also the phrase, “It’s for the kids!”

“I really never expected this, but I’m so grateful, and I’m so grateful to work with a wonderful staff and coworkers,” Menz told the crowd after one ovation and before a second broke out. “I love this building. It’s just like my home. It’s my home away from home.

“We love our children,” he continued. “We love all these kids. We do it for the kids. And I love you all. Thank you.”

He then cut the ribbon to officially open the walkway.