BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — A photo that shows dozens of elementary school students lining up to get their yearbook signed by the school custodian has gone viral. On June 2, students at Alan Shepard Elementary School in Bourbonnais, Illinois were given a designated time where they could exchange and sign yearbooks. However, it was Mr. Steve who was getting all the attention.
Dozens of second-grade students lined up to get their yearbook signed by Steve Weidner, the school’s janitor and custodian.
“He pays attention to the kids… he knows who they are,” Principal Shirley Padera said about Weidner. “The kids know if anything happens, Mr. Steve is going to take care of it.”
The school has 104 enrolled second-grade students. At least half of the students are shown waiting in line in the photo while the other half had their yearbooks signed by Weidner before the photo was taken.
Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 shared the photo on their Facebook page earlier this week with the caption, “Shepard Custodian Steve ‘Mr. Steve’ Weidner has reached Rock Star status as he autographs yearbooks for his ‘fans’!”
The photo was posted to Reddit on Friday morning by Adam Joines. In less than five hours, the photo has been viewed 1.5 million times.
“He goes above and beyond,” Padera said about Weidner. “He’s loved by all the students and the teachers. He’s great!”
