At New Trier, the day begins with small but important routines. Security guards stand at entrances, scanning in I.D.s and greeting people as they arrive, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Throughout the day, they circulate through the building, weaving in and out of classrooms, the cafeteria, athletic spaces, and other spaces.
“Every morning I greet [students] when they come in, and every evening I say goodbye,” campus security Mary Mercer said. “[The security team] is around the school, making sure people are doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
For campus security Johnny Owens, being present is about engagement. He talks with students in the halls, encourages them in clubs and athletics, and makes a point to notice when someone seems off.
“If I can see that a kid is down, I try to check on them and see what’s wrong and if there’s anything I can do, or if I can steer them in the right direction,” Owens said. “I just try to be a positive role model for the kids and make sure they laugh.”
Students notice the attention and care they provide.
“I think that the security guards are all really nice. They’re really welcoming, and not intimidating or anything,” senior Phillipe Bebawy said. “If you want to just talk about your day, they’re there to talk to you.”
Security at New Trier is more than enforcing the rules. It’s about connection, building trust, and making students feel safe both physically and emotionally. Ask almost any member of campus security what their favorite part is, and the answer will circle back to the same place: the students.
“I like being around the young people and feeling younger than I am,” Mercer said. “Just getting to meet all the students, talking to them, and you know, the staff.”
Campus security Albert Deberowley, who moved from Sacramento, California and worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, appreciates the difference between his previous work and his role at New Trier. Here, he’s able to talk with students while working in an overall friendly community.
“I like the students. They’re all friendly and nice. It’s a good school,” Deberowley said.
For Owens, the work goes hand in hand with mentorship. He grew up in Evanston, served five years in the Navy, and later returned and got his teaching degree. He has two kids of his own, a son and a daughter, and he coaches them in sports. At New Trier, he applies that same attention to the students around him.
“My favorite part about my job is being around the youth—the students here—being a mentor, motivating them, and just giving them words of encouragement,” Owens said. “Also being lookout, being security, making sure everyone’s safe and secure around the school.”
Even these small interactions matter in order to create a sense of belonging. Security is a constant, vital presence that shapes the school’s environment, and students notice when security guards pay attention, listen, or offer help. They’re able to see them as approachable adults rather than just authority figures.
For Mercer, the transition from her previous hospital work made the difference clear. Hospitals were high stress and often draining, whereas the pace and the energy at New Trier has allowed her to be engaged without risking her health and work-life balance.
“I started off liking [my old job], but I didn’t at the end because it was just way too much and was affecting my health. I like being around young people and feeling younger than I am. It’s great,” Mercer said.
Deberowley found that after moving across the country, he values the community here. While he still prefers California’s lifestyle, he enjoys hanging out with students and staff, and the day-to-day connections that define his work.
“[The students] are all mostly my friends. I talk to them just like normal, you know. I like everybody,” Deberowley said.
The campus security team’s unique experiences shape the way they interact with students. They bring structure and a sense of stability to the school, just as much as they add warmth and familiarity.
It’s both professional and personal for Owens. With a background in athletics, coaching his own children, and plans to teach PE, his engagement with students is an extension of how he interacts with his own family.
In his off time, he spends time with his kids, stays active through sports, and relaxes by cooking and eating.
“I love Chinese food, like orange chicken and rice. I’m a big chicken and rice type of guy,” Owens said. “Caribbean food, Chinese food, or Pita Inn. I eat all that stuff.”
Security at New Trier is a visible presence, but it also exists in conversations and daily interactions within the school. The students notice it, the staff notices it, and the guards themselves feel it—a sense of community shaped by genuine care and consistency.
“I just try to make a positive impact and make sure the kids enjoy their time at New Trier,” Owens said.
It is this mix of mentorship, vigilance, and everyday connection that defines experiences at New Trier. Security is not only about safety; it’s about being part of the school’s community, being present for the students, and invested in their wellbeing.