It’s Monday. You’re late to class, rushed and angry, and you just spilled coffee on your new white T-shirt. You turn the corner around the 6/7 area, waiting for the crossing guard to signal. He gives you a large smile and an enthusiastic wave. Suddenly, your mood takes a turn, and you find yourself smiling too. The coffee, the traffic, and the frustration fade away. All it took was a big smile and a reassuring wave.
On the other end of that wave is none other than Estefan Baca-Miller.
Estefan is a dedicated crossing guard at Albuquerque Academy. Many know him as the man who greets everyone with a smile, even at seven o’clock in the morning. Estefan is more than just a cheerful face or a crossing guard: he represents a community of lesser-known faculty–security guards and custodians–who keep the Academy running.
Jessie ’26, a Senior who waves to Estefan every morning, reflects on how much those small moments affect her day. The irritation she feels from traffic and the stress of rushing every morning have a negative effect on her mood, but a friendly gesture, like Estefan’s wave, offers a reset. For many, these interactions help turn their mornings into something more positive.
Mornings are a significant part of everyone’s day, and it is imperative that they start well. One misfortune can spoil the rest of your day. In fact, studies by Talker Research show that by 8:36 am, people often know whether they will have a good or bad day. Luckily, Academy has its very own joyful face, Estefan, who knows that “[his] smile will help other people feel good about their day,” and is dedicated to “[doing] whatever [he] can to help.” In a matter of seconds, Estefan helps the community feel more at ease. When we smile, our brains release dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that help reduce anxiety. Therefore, while Estefan may seem like he only directs campus traffic, he also helps shape the community’s mood.
So much so, in fact, that Jessie admits that seeing Estefan is often “the first time [she] smile[s] in the morning.”
As a school known for its competitive nature, Academy often needs a reminder that the community and genuineness are what makes this place special. People like Estefan remind us that community and kindness are just as important as academics.
This genuine community is represented by people like Estefan who are so welcoming that Jessie says she doesn’t “have to interact with him, [to] know he’s a good person,” but he is someone she “wouldn’t mind chatting with.”
Estefan’s work is wide-ranging, from opening the science and library buildings and gates on campus to helping set up the graduation tent when the time comes. He is no stranger to having bad days and discouraging mornings, but says that his trust in the community brings positivity to his day. His authenticity shines when he tells me, “I never have to fake my joy.”
Estefan is not the only one, however, as he reflects that the whole security team is dedicated to campus safety and community wellbeing. Surprisingly, they have even helped Jessie ‘26 jumpstart her car late after swim practice; this has happened on multiple occasions, and each time, the security team wasted no time jumping into action. Estefan says that their first priority is “making sure everyone feels completely safe” at the Academy.
So next time you spill your coffee, get stuck in traffic, or feel a little distressed, remember that people like Estefan and the rest of the security team are here protecting the Albuquerque Academy community. They offer more than just safety, but a powerful reminder to be kind and take care of one another. And don’t forget that your own smile and wave can make a difference too, because sometimes that’s all it takes to brighten someone’s day.
