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Students Never Had To Look For Him

Posted Date: 06/04/26 (09:20 PM)
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​For 14 years, students at James S. Rickards High School knew where to find Mr. Cook. At the crosswalk every morning. At lunch. At their games. At the bus ramp every afternoon. Always visible. Always in the bright orange vest. Before he retired, students surprised him with a “Cook’s XING” sign at the crosswalk he walked them across every morning. This extended YouTube version includes additional “Cook Stories” and a different ending that was not part of the shorter social media versions.

For 14 years, students at James S. Rickards High School knew where to find their principal. Every morning Mr. Cook was at the crosswalk. At lunch. At their games. At the bus ramp every afternoon. Always visible. Always in his trademark bright orange vest.

 

But the vest became more than something he wore. It became part of how students remembered him. There’s a story behind this vest.  And it means so much to Mr. Cook, that he's not leaving it behind at the school.  He plans to take it home and frame it.

 

Our cameras were on campus during Mr. Cook’s final days before retirement. And they captured the moment his students honored him with a “Cook’s XING” sign at the crosswalk he walked students across every morning for 14 years.

 

                              **This extended YouTube version includes additional “Cook Stories” and

                               a different ending that was not part of the shorter social media versions.