From late August to early June, many Mt. Lebanon families walk to their local elementary school every morning. You see the same couple crossing guards, you probably know their names, but what about the others? This year, 47 crossing guards will monitor 39 posts throughout the community, keeping students and parents safe. Maybe it’s time we learned a little more about our friends in the yellow gear.

Elaine Kelly

Broadmoor Avenue resident Elaine Kelly has been a crossing guard for 22 years. Upon suffering a tragic familial loss, Elaine and her husband decided to force themselves back into the community. What started as a coping mechanism eventually became “the best thing that ever happened to [her], it put joy back in [her] heart.” After 25 years as a steelworker and painter, then a short stint at Kaufmann’s, Kelly joined the crossing guard force shortly after retirement.

Stationed at the intersection that’s a gateway to Uptown, by Washington Elementary, Kelly loves the people and memories from this chaotic post. She makes a point to learn all her kids’ and parents’ names, many of which she picks up by association. One year she crossed a family of boys named Ezra, Ian and Owen, which she remembered by singing “Old MacDonald had a farm, E, I, E, I, O.” During COVID, she had the opportunity to give back to the job that gave so much to her. When an elementary student was struggling to stay motivated in school, she gave him a stone with the word “Courage” printed on it. She told him to rub it when he needed a boost of confidence and even gave him a blessed stone from her church. A few years later, on the fifth-grade clap out, the child’s mother thanked Kelly and took a picture of the pair together, as the child handed her a card and stone which read, “Inspire,” a testament to Kelly’s influence on the student. Once an avid bowler, Kelly now spends her time gardening with her husband and visiting with friends.

Dave O’Brien

Castle Shannon resident Dave O’Brien is a senior crossing guard with 16 years of experience. Upon returning home from a long career of service in the Air Force, O’Brien attended the Dean Institute of Technology, in the building maintenance program. From there, he worked for a real estate company in the Hill District until the hourlong commute  became too excessive. In 2008, he became a crossing guard and never looked back. From 2014 to 2020, he also worked as an usher at PNC Park and Heinz Field, but now the students of Foster Elementary are his only priority.

O’Brien recalls the great blizzard of February, 2010, when school was cancelled for a week. Some of the elementary schoolers he crossed then are well into their careers and starting families, something O’Brien finds very special. He also enjoys the dead time on the lunch shift when no students are crossing, so he can catch up with his colleagues at other Foster posts. One time, his colleague was wearing a balloon hat from a child when it popped, startling them both to the point of hysterical laughter. Off the clock, O’Brien volunteers at the Castle Shannon Fire Department and spends time with his two stepsons and wife.

Bob Romary

A crossing guard for nine years, Scott Township resident Bob Romary wanted to stay active after retirement and subsidize his monthly income. Romary began his career in the Army and moved to Pittsburgh after completing his seven and a half years of service. For the next several decades, he worked in the automotive field as a store manager and a mechanic. The best part of his current crossing guard job is his relationship with the children and having a structured day.

He also trains new guards at three posts. One has traffic lights, the other is an intersection with only stop signs and the final has neither and relies on slow-moving traffic and a keen eye. Some of his favorite memories involve handwritten holiday cards from children. One card read: “Dear Mr. Bob, Thank you for crossing me. Thank you for being there every day and all that you do. Otherwise, I’d be dead.” Romary is stationed at the traffic light on Bower Hill Road by Jefferson Elementary and works five days a week, both morning and afternoon shifts. Outside of work, he can be found golfing, doing yard work or spending time with his kids and seven grandchildren.

Jim Schuchman

Shadowlawn Avenue resident Jim Schuchman has been a crossing guard for almost three years. Several of his peers are crossing guards who enjoy the work, so after retirement he sought out the opportunity for himself. Schuchman was a building manager for the Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church during his career. Nowadays he oversees the finances and accounting for his wife’s landscape design and installation business, in addition to his crossing guard duties.

Like his colleagues, Schuchman’s favorite thing about the job truly is the children. Stationed at Howe Elementary, he takes his obligation to keep the kids safe on their walks to and from school very seriously. It’s difficult for Schuchman to choose a favorite memory, because every child he encounters is equally sweet, but there is one little girl who greets him every morning and afternoon without fail. Schuchman prefers the spring and fall weather for his shifts. Despite his adoration for the students, above all, he loves spending time his wife.

Julie Bojnowski

Dormont resident Julie Bojnowski became a crossing guard in November 2023. When she moved to Pittsburgh from Connecticut four years ago, one of the first things she noticed about Mt. Lebanon was the crossing guards. In her career so far, she’s done “a little bit of everything,” from warehouse work to floristry, to camp counseling, but remarks that her favorite positions involve children. During the school year, Bojnowski juggles responsibilities as custodial staff at Bishop Canevin High School and Lincoln Elementary School crossing guard.

Her favorite season to be outside for the job is the winter, likely because it was the season she trained in and endured her first year. During one winter day, Bojnowski remembers closing an entire intersection for her kids to cross when a little boy came up to her. “I can’t cross right now, the stop hand is up,” said the child. Bojnowski assured him that it was safe and as he crossed the street, he yelled, “I’m going to get you fired!” Thankfully, Bojnowski retained her job and relationship with the student, for they shared a hug as he expressed his gratitude on the last day of school. In her free time, Bojnowski enjoys reading, playing piano and crocheting (she hopes to have a booth at Mt. Lebanon’s Artists’ Market one day.)

Check out Part 2 to learn about a couple more Mt. Lebanon crossing guards!