Starting his day at 6 a.m., Andy Nelson sees the good, the bad and the ugly. Nelson and the rest of the custodian staff prepare to keep the school running smoothly by cleaning after nearly 1,700 teenagers. It is normal for the shifts to go past midnight, after a big event or football game. But what many people do not see are the various, weird and sometimes entertaining items they come across in a days work.

Loutha Tolbert

Work shift: 2 p.m. – midnight

Most valuable things found: Telephones, gold chains and money. “I turn these things in because I’m an honest guy; Keeping them doesn’t do me any good.”

Grossest thing ever found: “When someone spread boo boo all over the walls,” Tolbert said.

Dave Murtz

Work shift: 3 p.m. – midnight

Weirdest thing ever found: A broken bicycle in one of the restrooms. “Some of the custodians believe part of the school is haunted,” Murtz said. “In parts of the science building you can hear footsteps and voices.”

Most common things found: pens and pencils

Most valuable thing ever found: $80, a watch and credit cards. “I turn these things in, because it’s the right thing to do,” Murtz said.

Grossest thing ever found: “In the boys’ restroom someone defecated on the floor and wiped it all over the walls,” Murtz said. “These were high school students that know better than to do this.”

Christina Kerns

Weirdest thing ever found: A copperhead snake in the West building closet. “I was reaching for my dust mop and then I just screamed,” Kerns said.

Most valuable thing ever found: ipods, cell phones and purses left in the classrooms.

Grossest thing ever found: “When I have to clean all of the boogers off of the wall,” Kerns said.

Andy Nelson

Work shift: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Most common thing ever found: Trash and food

Weirdest thing ever found: A curse word spelled wrong. “At first I was mad,” Nelson said. “But then I laughed because you have to at least spell it right.”

Grossest thing ever found: A lot of used Pampers diapers found in the parking lot. “I guess someone’s baby was busy,” Nelson said.

Bob Thomas

Work shift: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Most common thing ever found: Cell phones and wallets.

Weirdest thing ever found: Women’s undergarments in all of the school parking lots. “My first reaction was perverts!” Thomas said.

Grossest thing ever found: “Someone lost their bowels in the middle of the cafeteria hall,” Thomas said.

Why he loves what he does: “I always wanted an opportunity to work with kids,” Thomas said. “Because of my own rough raising, I think I wanted to influence the kids and show them the right thing to do.”