He rides around campus on an agile bicycle and prevents mayhem from occurring. He checks in on students with a friendly smile and encouraging words and he inspires the student body to do well in anything and everything they do. This man does not think crime is a joke and reprimands those who partake in it with fair punishments. He is one of the school’s disciplinary officers: Mr. Nelson Hilerio.
Protecting the people. It is not a job that is taken as a joke. This job takes strength and endurance to discipline and protect the student body. Whenever trouble occurs on campus, such as a fight or a minor discrepancy, Hilerio is there to make things right and take the proper actions against or for the students.
Not only does he protect the students, but he supports them with a moral boost and provides guidance. “He sings happy birthday and it makes people feel good. He’s always saying hi to everyone he sees. He also teaches people Spanish during lunch which is really helpful,” said junior Enakshi Shah.
Hilerio grew up in Puerto Rico with his parents and brothers. They were a poor family but his parents taught him values and to be thankful for whatever they had. He graduated high school in Moca, Puerto Rico and after 17 years as a police officer and five years working for customs in Puerto Rico, Hilerio moved to Florida.
His adventure began at Seminole when he and his wife went to the school board so his wife could apply as a Spanish teacher and at the same time, Hilerio applied for a school security position. Former Assistant Principal and Health Academy Director Mrs. Nancy Julian called him and offered him the job.
After several years of working on campus, Hilerio found that riding around campus on a bike has its many advantages. Instead of riding in a golf cart, he can swiftly arrive at any situation at any time. Over the years, he has also enjoyed the additional benefits of losing weight and lowering his blood pressure. “When I began working at Seminole, I weighed 251 pounds and had high blood pressure problems. Now I weigh 170 pounds and no longer take blood pressure medication. Believe me, I’m very happy with the bike,” said Hilerio.
The famous bike was actually an accident. Hilerio had found the bike near a swamp and decided to use it on campus to make his job easier. One day, a student approached him and said that it was his (the student’s) bike and that Hilerio had taken it. So he gave it back but decided to bring his own bike to work in order to facilitate his job.
After seven years of service to the school, Hilerio has developed some special friendships with students. “My mission in life is to make friends that are respected and have dignity, and friends who understand what friendship means,” he said. “So yes, I’ve made hundreds of friends here.”
Several students can attest to that. Sophomore Aliasghar Alloo said, “He’s a good person. He helped me get to classes when I was a freshman. He said to reach for your goals and to not give up. He’s a good friend.”
Currently, Hilerio is attending college and working on getting a psychology degree. He believes that if God permits it, he’ll receive his degree in school psychology. He’s already begun practicing on students. Freshman Wendy Mancia said, “He gives good advice such as behaving well and studying a lot because we only have one life.”
No matter what Hilerio does, he always manages to put a smile on students’ and faculty members’ faces. His job as one of Seminole’s security guards is one that is respected by everyone and will be for a long time.