The students at Franklinton Elementary School see head custodian Scott Perry as a father figure and a role model, honorary titles he earns every day as he helps kids tie their shoes or assists someone who forgot their lunch money.

“I think he treats those kids like a parent away from home,” said Tawanda Perry, a longtime friend of Perry’s. “He interacts with them in a way to groom them for success. The kids definitely see him as a father figure, role model, and a friend.”

Over the course of the pandemic, Perry, who is also a bus driver, has gone to students’ homes to deliver meals and homework.

“He will do whatever it takes,” said Jamie Wilkerson, principal at Perry’s school. “He’s like a mentor to students and provides the support that is needed for so many of them. If we didn’t have Mr. Perry, then our students wouldn’t have the role model or that father figure in their day-to-day.”

One day, Perry noticed a kindergartner frightened about coming to school. So, he’d walk him to class and talk to him to help calm his fears.

“I don’t consider myself a hero,” said Perry. “I do what I do because I just enjoy helping people. What I love most about my job is that I can give back to the same school I went to as a kid.”

Perry’s “whatever-it-takes” dedication to his job led to his selection as one of the 10 winners of the Education Lottery’s School Heroes program.

The Education Lottery created the program to showcase the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day. Parents, teachers, and community members submitted more than 4,900 nominations of individuals making a difference in their schools.

Both the School Hero and their school receive a $10,000 award.

Perry said he plans to use his award to help his mother and a couple of good friends who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus. Wilkerson said that she and Perry will meet with the School Improvement Team to discuss how best to disburse the award money toward instructional resources for students.

“Teachers and school staff have all stepped up for our children during these unprecedented times,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “The 10 School Heroes selected this year provide a glimpse into the world of these everyday heroes and we are glad to shine a spotlight on their great work.”

Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $386 million this school year that supports the work of school support staff such as office assistants and custodians. Additional money will help build and repair schools, support the N.C. Pre-K program for “at-risk” four-year-olds, provide college scholarships and grants based on financial need, and help meet school transportation needs.

The lottery raises more than $725 million a year for education. For details on how $3.2 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Franklin County, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com.