Five Minutes with security guard Jim Qualls
Posted on 08. Jun, 2010 by webmaster1 in News
By Samantha Sternad & Kaitlin Swanson
Staff Reporters
Standing in the gym, he directs rowdy students to the door. With a smile and laugh, he guides them out with a gentle hand upon their shoulder.
He stands tall and bright in his lime-green vest. He is a dedicated father, husband and a recovered alcoholic. He is a security guard at North. His name is Jim Qualls.
After 20 years of working for the Bud Company, Qualls was laid off due to the factory closing. He secured a job at North and has been working here ever since. After dealing with adversities such as alcoholism and losing his job, Qualls feels that his life is finally on the right track. He has been working for five months.
“I wish I went to school here. I went to Detroit public schools, and we had to share books (because)there weren’t enough to go around,” Qualls said.
Qualls received a lot of support from his wife of 20 years while trying to overcome his addiction. She positively influenced his life and helped him through his personal struggle. She helped give him a second chance.
“Marriage keeps you grounded,” Qualls said, “Drinking wasn’t good. It was alright for a while, but I think God sent me an angel, and that was my wife.”
He says he enjoys his new job. He likes the people and cleanliness of it. He likes patrolling the hallways, day after day. He likes wearing the bright green vests and working with high schoolers. He does all of it with a smile on his face.
He opens the gym door. With one foot on the threshold, and an earnest smile, he advises students to stay in school.
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