‘Kids are my world’: Moncton students, family cherish crosswalk guard

A dedicated crossing guard in New Brunswick gets a special shout-out from parents and kids.

Friday was the last day of school at Evergreen Park in Moncton’s north end.

It’s also a goodbye for now and have a great summer for Monique ‘Nikki’ LaVigne, one of the school’s crosswalk guards.

“I love kids. Kids are my world,” said LaVigne. “My whole life has kind of been around making people happy and kids happy. My grandfather always said, if you have a job that makes you miserable find something else that makes you happy.”

LaVigne does a lot more than make sure the elementary school kids cross a busy street safely.

She dances, hands out toys and stickers and this she week she even wore dinosaur and unicorn costumes for the final five-day countdown.

“Why not? Life is too short. A simple smile, getting to know somebody, doing things to make them smile. It costs nothing,” she said.

Parents call her inspirational.

“She’s an amazing person,” said Min Ko. “She’s like the kids’ grandmother. She knows every kids’ name.”

Erin Esson said LaVigne goes way above and beyond.

“Once in a while, when we walk our daughter to school, we get to see Nikki and she’s been a joy to see in the mornings. She’s always in a good mood. The last few days she’s been in costume and she had presents for the kids,” said Esson.

Thierry Lenda recalled a day when he and his family were about to cross the street.

“There’s a driver that didn’t really care about the stop sign. He just drove and Nikki was very upset. She even mentioned that she reported the driver,” said Landa.

Grade five students, who just finished their final day ever at Evergreen Park, gave LaVigne a present on behalf of the school.

“She is so nice,” said Olivia Smith. “She helps us every day. She gives us compliments. If we’re not feeling good in the morning, she gives us support and she makes us feel good.”

Twice a day, five days a week, LaVigne gets them home safely and she’ll miss the kids dearly.

“Absolutely,” she said.

She hopes to be back next year so she can experience another last day of school and have a great summer.

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