The Catalyst (TC): What brought you to work at NDB?
Rafael Merino (RM): The environment, its people. And, it’s close to my place.
TC: What are your main responsibilities around the school?
RM: Maintenance, all about maintenance. Even on my days off.
TC: What were some of the main projects you took on over the summer to prepare for the new school year?
RM: A lot of stuff like the air conditioning units all over the place and on the second floor. We did a lot of offices and classrooms, like [Student Leadership], painting, shampooing the carpets, the parlor… We did everything there. We painted everything and then we did the decorations with [Head of School] Meredith and [Executive Assistant] Alejandra.
TC: How do you feel about the contributions you made over the summer? Do you like them?
RM: Yes, because it makes it easy for everybody. We won’t have to be dealing with the overly heated units.
TC: How do you think these changes will
benefit NDB students during the school year?
RM: We’re going to benefit in a big way. I mean, they are going to have air conditioning … We have new furniture … I mean the place is looking nice.
TC: How have you been a part of student-lead events?
RM: That’s a part of my job … to do setups. Setting up the events and breaking down whatever they need.
TC: What brings you the most joy from working at NDB?
RM: The people.
TC: What is something that many wouldn’t know about you?
RM: I mean [students] know everything about me. I don’t hide anything about myself.
TC: What goals do you have for the upcoming school year?
RM: Hopefully, finishing the first floor’s air conditioning units and completing the swimming pool. That is something that we have been planning to do this year: fixing it, adding new tile and probably adding new bleachers there for next year.
