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High School Janitor Walks Into Gymnasium to Clean a Mess, Then Gets the Surprise of His Life

High School Janitor Walks Into Gymnasium to Clean a Mess, Then Gets the Surprise of His Life

"Words can't describe..."

A high school janitor in Kentucky received the surprise of his life earlier this month after students surprised him with an unexpected gift before classes let out for summer break.

"Somebody has made a huge mess again in this gymnasium. Oh no, what to do?" Anderson County High School principal Chris Glass joked at a pep rally, moments before calling in janitor Ricky Spaulding in.

A Kentucky high school janitor received a surprise when he was called to clean a mess earlier this month. Students and staff had raised nearly $2,000 so he could see his son stationed overseas. (Image source: Screen grab via YouTube) A Kentucky high school janitor received a surprise when he was called to clean a mess earlier this month. Students and staff had raised nearly $2,000 so he could see his son stationed overseas. (Image source: Screen grab via YouTube)

Staff members and students had learned earlier this year that the popular janitor had not seen his son stationed overseas in over a year and had yet to meet his grandchild, according to WLEX-TV. They wanted to surprise him with a gift.

When Spaulding walked into the gym to clean up the supposed mess, he was instead confronted by a pile of cash. $1,900 to be exact.

"A bag of money that the students had collected. My son is stationed in Italy and we're going to see him," he told WLEX.

A Kentucky high school janitor received a surprise when he was called to clean a mess earlier this month. Students and staff had raised nearly $2,000 so he could see his son stationed overseas. (Image source: Screen grab via YouTube) A Kentucky high school janitor received a surprise when he was called to clean a mess earlier this month. Students and staff had raised nearly $2,000 so he could see his son stationed overseas. (Image source: Screen grab via YouTube)

"Words can't describe the joy that I feel right now," he later added.

[sharequote align="center"]"Words can't describe the joy that I feel right now."[/sharequote]

School faculty and students said it was a no-brainer to donate to the cause.

"He just does everything for the school," one student told WLEX. "He's very, very nice. Whenever somebody needs something he's there."

"Ricky is such a great guy," Glass echoed. "It's hard not to give to his cause."

Spaulding and his wife told WLEX they'll likely make the trip in the winter. They are still stunned by the school's generosity.

"It just shows how much they care and I just think it's amazing," she said.

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter

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