49ers Cheerleaders, Students Honor San Ramon Crossing Guard

Like he had done time and time again, San Ramon school crossing guard John Lussing recently helped two young ladies make their way across his intersection near California High School. But John was left scratching his head when the two women, San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders, thanked him on behalf of the team for all he does for the children.

And that confusion only grew as roughly 100 of the high school and elementary school students he helps at the crossing every day came pouring into the intersection from every direction while cheering, waiving home-made signs and causing a ruckus in celebration of the kindhearted crossing guard. The students and cheerleaders then escorted him to the nearby Montevideo Elementary School for a pizza party in his honor and presented him with a chair that they all signed.

It was all in a day’s work for Brent Camalich, founder of Ventura-apparel startup Dude. be nice, who has been using the brand to create a platform to inspire young people to build a positive community by rallying together to recognize a person or group in a fun, creative, and meaningful way.

“California High School told us about their long-time crossing guard John Lussing and how much they enjoy crossing the street he manages because of his kind personality and amazing interest in their lives,” said Brent. “They wanted us to help show him how much he matters, so we surprised him with a party just to say we appreciate you.”

Brent met California High School student Kaidyn McClure during a summer leadership conference in Santa Barbara, California, leading to Dude. be nice’s latest “Random Act of Niceness.”

Another California High School student in on the surprise, Sydney Louie, recalled that John has been her crossing guard since she was in elementary school.

“One day when I was in kindergarten he learned it was my birthday because I was carrying balloons,” said Sydney. “ The following year he greeted me as I crossed his street with a gift because he kept track of my birthday from the year before -- such a great guy”

--Information and image provided by Dude. be nice