When Belle Elementary School hired Frances Buzzard to be a janitor, they expected her to just be like any other janitor that had ever worked there. But Miss Frances, as she became known around the school, was anything but ordinary. Her old school work ethic made her something special. She took pride in the work she did and went out of her way to clean and polish everything in her path. That wasn’t the only special thing about Miss Frances though. Students would learn a sad secret about their beloved janitor and decide to do something about it.

This day would be like any other day for Miss Frances, or so she thought. She was cleaning the bathrooms and the hallways just like she did every day when she was called to the cafeteria by the principal over the loud speaker. There was an assembly taking place there and Miss Frances assumed that someone had probably spilled something and she was going to need to clean it up.

What Miss Frances didn’t know was that the principal had dug deeper into the 77-year-old woman’s past and found out that she had grown up poor. Her family didn’t celebrate birthdays or Christmas because they didn’t have the money for gifts. If she was lucky, she would get nuts and fruit for Christmas. She recalls one year her family was going to have a birthday party for her, but it was too cold and icy so no one came. Miss Frances had never had a birthday party, but this year would be different.

When Miss Frances entered the cafeteria, the 200 students in the school had gathered there and yelled surprise! They had secretly set up a birthday party for Miss Frances, complete with cupcakes and cookies that were being wheeled on a cart from the kitchen. A banner with all the students’ signatures graced the stage and announced the special occasion. It was Miss Frances 77th birthday.

Still in awe, the principal placed a bright crown and glittery birthday sash on Miss Frances announcing her as the birthday lady. Today was her day to shine! She was seated in a chair in the center of the room when the stage curtain opened. A presentation that showed Miss Frances throughout her life, as well as participating in events that had taken place during her time on earth. She was seen putting the flag on the moon with Neil Armstrong and dancing up a storm at Woodstock!

This was one special celebration, and the first one ever for Miss Frances. We always remember our first job, first kiss, and first love. This is one first that Miss Frances is likely to never forget, and one that the students can say they were proud to be a part of.