Beloved SLO County crossing guard has helped kids safely get to school for a decade

As a pickup truck moved a little too quickly through the school zone on Old County Road in Templeton, Vicki Zimmerman — “Ms. Vicki” to the bevy of children and families who know her best — called out: “Slow down!”

As the truck continued down the road, not slowing significantly, the beloved crossing guard still yelled after it a cheeky, “Thank you!”

Moments later, Zimmerman was back to business, waving at passing drivers, greeting students and chatting with parents gathered outside Templeton Elementary School.

For the past 10 years, the 72-year-old crossing guard has stood at the corner each morning and afternoon helping children cross one of Templeton’s busiest school corridors. Along the way, she has become something more than a crossing guard.

“Ms. Vicki makes everything special,” said Andrea Somogyi, whose daughter, Quinley, is finishing kindergarten this week. “She literally connects with parents and the kids, and we love her dearly.”

Zimmerman received her 10-year crossing guard pin in the spring, but her connection to student transportation began before she ever stepped into the crosswalk.

She previously worked as a van driver transporting students to and from school. When a crossing guard position opened near her home, she applied and eventually transferred into the role.

The youngest of eight children, Zimmerman grew up in a single-parent household with six older brothers and one older sister. Years later, she found herself following in the footsteps of her mother, Dorothy Akin, who served as a Templeton crossing guard for seven years and became a vocal advocate for slowing traffic near the school.

Akin was instrumental in efforts that led to speed bumps along Old County Road.

A speed trailer later dedicated in her memory bears an inscription recognizing her efforts on behalf of local students.

The memory stayed with Zimmerman.

She recalled meeting a man who told her his favorite crossing guard growing up was a woman named Dorothy.

“When I realized he was talking about my mom, I just fell apart,” Zimmerman said.

Years later, people still remembered Dorothy Akin.

Today, Zimmerman finds herself watching over many of the same concerns.

“She really looks out for the kids’ safety, is always caring and looks out for them,” parent Brent Dignam told The Tribune. “We have a lot of people who speed through here and ignore the traffic laws. She is always paying close attention to look out for the welfare of our kids.”

Yet the job has grown into something more than directing traffic.

Throughout a recent afternoon shift, passing drivers waved as they rolled by. Zimmerman waved back. Parents stopped to chat. Several neighbors checked the community mailbox nearby and exchanged greetings with Zimmerman.

The interactions were so frequent they seemed part of the rhythm of the corner.

At one point, Zimmerman called out to the neighborhood mail carrier.

“I love you, Nolan!”

Over the course of the afternoon, a steady stream of drivers acknowledged her with waves, smiles or a quick honk. Zimmerman returned each greeting. Only one vehicle passed without responding.

Students know Zimmerman for the colorful leggings, playful outfits and ever-changing collection of whimsical headgear she wears throughout the school year. Depending on the day, she might arrive wearing butterflies, unicorn horns, tiger ears, flower stems, rainbow horns, rabbit ears, mouse ears, piñatas or a tiny sombrero for Cinco de Mayo.

The accessories give students something to smile about and make Zimmerman hard to miss.

The tradition started almost immediately. Zimmerman said she began wearing colorful accessories so that students could spot her more easily, a habit that quickly became part of her identity at the crosswalk.

Many students greet her with hugs before heading home for the day.

“Students tell me they love me, and I tell them I love them right back,” Zimmerman said. “I throw kisses and even get some back.”

On this warm spring afternoon, however, she traded some of her trademark headgear for a sun hat as temperatures climbed, and the school year edged closer to summer.

Her home sits just a few houses from the crosswalk. During busy pickup times, she has even invited parents to use her driveway when parking becomes scarce.

Zimmerman said students and families even noticed when she was recently absent.

Following a surgery that temporarily kept her away from the crosswalk, school staff contacted her after parents and students began asking if she was OK.

During the pandemic, children stopped outside her home and called to her from the sidewalk. Zimmerman would come out onto the porch and spend time talking with them.

“All those kids mean the world to me,” she said.

Away from the intersection, Zimmerman helps care for her disabled husband, Marvin, and joins fellow members of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in making quilts for approximately 40 foster children expected to attend summer camp in July.

The work may look different, but the theme is familiar.

Whether she is helping children cross a busy street, sewing quilts for foster youth or keeping an eye on families she has known for years, Zimmerman has spent much of her life looking after others.

Pointing toward a passing vehicle during a recent shift, Zimmerman recognized the mother of a student she has watched grow up.

“She has a son that’s graduating high school,” Zimmerman said. “I’m going to miss Charlie so much.”

As of Thursday, the Templeton school year is officially at its end.

In social media posts, Zimmerman has been counting down the days until summer break, joking that her “eyes leak a little” as another class prepares to move on.

Another group of students will arrive in the fall. Some will be new to Templeton. Others will already know exactly who is waiting at the corner.

But Zimmerman isn’t focused on goodbye: “We’ll be together again in about 10 weeks.”