STMS celebrates custodian's citizenship with Red, White and Blue Day

"I's so excited!"

Eduardo Gutierrez has a lot to be excited about this week. He is attending his U.S. Citizenship ceremony today in Reno, a day after the school he is a custodian for, South Tahoe Middle School (STMS), celebrated him and his achievement with Red, White and Blue Day.

On Thursday, students and staff dressed in the colors of the flag, hallways were decorated and a ceremony was held to present Gutierrez with a flag for his home. "This is a big surprise, I'm so happy," he said of the celebration.

Gutierrez is head custodian at the school. He's worked for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) for six years, having worked at both Sierra House Elementary and STMS. He has been in the United States for 22 years after arriving in San Jose, Calif., from his former home in Tepic, Mexico. "I didn't like San Jose," said Gutierrez who left a few months later and came to South Lake Tahoe because of its beauty and community.

He worked and lived in the U.S. with a green card until applying for citizenship in 2016. Since then he went through fingerprint appointments and a citizenship test. Gutierrez downloaded an app on his phone to study whenever he had free time.

Gutierrez and his wife Rosa bought a house in Gardnerville where they live with their two children, one who attends Sierra House and the other at Pa-Wa-Lu Middle School. Rosa is a pre-school teacher for LTUSD.

"I really like this job and enjoy working with the kids and staff," said Eduardo. It's apparent that they kids and staff also enjoy working with him as well.

At 1:00 p.m. May 19, Eduardo will be at his citizenship ceremony in Reno.