Who risks his own life every day to save students with a big wave and a bright smile? When Steven Perdriau attended Los Altos High School, the Almond Avenue crosswalk did not exist. It was made years later when a student was hit when crossing the road. Perdriau, who graduated in the class of 1986, is now returning to his community to try to prevent anything similar from happening again.

“My first impression is that he actually does something,” Student Conduct Liaison Julie Corzine said. “He is not standing on the side of the curb, waiting for somebody to come before pushing the button. He’s helping to move the flow of traffic instead of ignoring it, constantly looking around and seeing what’s going on and keeping everything going.”

Perdriau is deaf, and that poses a difficulty as a crossing guard because he is unable to hear a car or biker approaching.

“Whenever I’m out doing traffic control, I’m using all my senses, especially my hearing, to figure out what and where something is going on, even if it’s from halfway down the block,” Corzine said. “And he doesn’t have that same ability, so the work that he’s doing puts him at even greater threat.”

But what Perdriau lacks in hearing, he makes up with heightened caution and commitment.

“I worry about him a little bit, but he does a really good job,” Donahue said. “He’s the best crossing guard we’ve had since I’ve worked in the office.”

“But you can’t even tell that he’s deaf,” Corzine said. “He’s marvelous, just keeps going with his work and doesn’t let anything slow him down.”

His expertise as a crossing guard is evident in the confident and experienced way he manages the traffic. Besides having clear body language, a whistle and a loud voice, he also makes sure he has reached the middle of the crosswalk before letting students cross to prevent accidents to the best of his ability.

“If I’m not around, kids can get hit,” Perdriau said. “But if I’m here, I will be between the students and the car.”

On one occasion, a driver had been moving forward whilst on their phone, but Perdriau stood right in the middle of the street to stop the car.

“I have saved probably four or five LAHS students,” Perdriau said. “Last year, a car almost hit me while the student was behind me. I put my two hands out and told them to stop.”

“The student the car would’ve run over didn’t see, and they realized how lucky they were once they saw how close the car was to them,” Perdriau said.

Many students and staff feel safer and are grateful for his presence as a crossing guard.

“I definitely think I’m safer because of the crossing guard,” freshman Jason Schuder said. “Thanks to him, I haven’t died yet.”

“It can be a maddening job, as you can imagine, with people driving and riding their bikes crazy, but he tries really, really hard,” Administrative Assistant Mary Donahue said. “He comes and talks to the office when he thinks we can do something more to sort a traffic situation out.”

According to Administrative Assistant Jeanine Seagraves, Perdraiu is conscientious and proactive, always checking with the office before a schedule change and making known any impending absences.

Several years ago, LAHS planned on not having a crossing guard since there didn’t seem to be a need for one.

“However, on the couple of days that we have not had a crossing guard here, traffic gets backed up, people are not using the signal and not waiting, and it’s just a huge mess,” Corzine said. “So I’m really, really happy that he’s here. He has definitely made a district difference.”

LAHS staff, students and parents have thanked Perdaiu for his work — many, including Donahue, have said they’ve never seen a crossing guard as enthusiastic and protective as him.

Not only is Perdriau saving students’ lives, but he is also risking his own safety on the road. Even with his neon vest and big, red stop sign, he’s almost been hit multiple times.

One incident that has never left Perdriau’s mind was when a student biker last year saw a pedestrian too late and fell, hitting her head. He immediately stopped the cars on the four-way street, talked to her to make sure she was okay, and then reported the incident to the school and his boss.

Perdriau emphasizes the importance of students’ well-being, stressing the uncertainty of safety even with a crossing guard.

“I think students should care more for their lives,” Perdriau said. “If they’re alive, that’s all that counts. All students should be aware even though a crossing guard is out there, their safety is not 100 percent guaranteed in every circumstance.”

Perdriau’s favorite memory as an LAHS crossing guard was the last day of school last year. It wasn’t because it was his last shift of the school year but because people showed their gratitude for him.

“On the last day of school, everybody thanked me for being a crossing guard and for protecting them,” Perdriau said.

He can be seen standing in the pouring rain and arriving half an hour before his shift in the afternoon to protect as many people as he can. Perdriau’s willingness to help others around him is the reason he stays a crossing guard today: to “protect the kids and make sure they are safe.”

On top of his commitment to LAHS as a third-year crossing guard, he is also a caring family member and neighbor. Perdriau sets aside part of his salary for his son who attends college and his 80 and 85-year-old parents. He also cares for his 91-year-old neighbor, aiding him around the house.

“Every morning from Monday through Sunday, I check on my neighbor before I come here and get to work,” Perdriau said. “I’m just helping people around.”

His willingness to be a helping hand to everyone is seen on the road.

“I appreciate his presence every day,” Corzine said. “He’s such a bright light to have around and puts a smile on your face.”

“I just pray that everybody is safe and nobody is hurt,” Perdriau said. “That’s all I care about.”