TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- It was a big day for Rossville Elementary School on Friday.
All the students from Rossville Elementary School and the staff wanted to do something special for Esther Pugh who is turning 90 years old.
"Esther is like the staple of our community, she's the perfect neighbor a grade school could have. she looks out for us," Travis Vleck, Principal of Rossville Elementary School said.
More than 300 students and staff members lined up to wish Esther Pugh 'happy birthday,' when the wheels of the school rolled away.
Esther has lived across from Rossville Elementary since 1961.
"She loves the school and she can't wait for spring, because she really likes to sit out on the front porch and watch the kids come to and from school everyday. She's just an amazing person and we love her," Vleck explained.
She is more than a neighbor to many of them.
Brayden, a student from Rossville Elementary says "she gave me a band-aid to heal my knee. she's a great lady, she looks over our school, she's like the grandmother of our school."
"It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, she's looking out for us. If there happens to be suspicious activity, it's not often, but if there is in the evening time, she's not afraid to call me at home anytime, or she'll call law enforcement if needed," Vleck emphasized.
"I have to call them every once in awhile about something don't I," Pugh said.
After serenading her with a song, students greeted Esther with presents and cupcakes.
"She's is just a wonderful person, she protects our school, because she just wants to keep the school safe," Brylie Price, sixth grader of Rossville said, "I'm just so grateful that she is here to protect our school."
"She's always got eyes on our building, it's pretty special to have someone who cares so much about our school," Vleck said.
Esther turns 90 years old on Sunday.
All 4 of Esther & her late husband Gene's children graduated from Rossville.
