Freaky Friday Hits the Contreras’

Senior Katie Contreras and her father Armando Contreras swap New Roads lives, one as a student, the other as a facilities worker.

For the last thirteen years, I have learned to coexist with my dad at school. Although you might think it would be a kid’s worst nightmare to have their parent work at their school, I have enjoyed every second of it. Despite the inability to hide my awkward middle school phases from him, and foiled attempts to get away with anything, his presence will be something I will deeply miss this coming fall. So, in an effort to gain a deeper appreciation for each other before we’re apart, we swapped lives.

The day started off relatively normal, due to my inability to drive, but when we got to school, it all turned upside down.

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Armando Contreras off to his first class of the day, Spanish 7 Honors.

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Armando Contreras explaining the life of writer Gloria Fuertes.

Unbeknownst to him, I had a presentation in Spanish class and it just happened to line up with the day we were set to swap lives. (Sorry, Dad!) According to Co-Editor-in-Chief Isabella Carbonari he “gave a great presentation for someone with no notice.”

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Armando Contreras reading carefully over his new reading assignment.

While he was being a model student in class, I picked up my walkie-talkie for the day and got to work. Moving heavy objects is no joke, so I had a little safety meeting with my boss Dan Liberto, and off I went.

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Co-Editor-in-Chief Katherine Contreras with her walkie talkie in the facilities office.

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Co-Editor-in-Chief Katherine Contreras going over safety protocols with her boss, Dan Liberto.

After a Chemistry class spent measuring the density of salt water for an on-going project, my dad headed to lunch with my friends. “It was a little weird sitting with teenagers for lunch, but Katie has nice friends,” Contreras noted.

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Armando Contreras having lunch with his new friends.

Next was Society and Ethics with Sean Brookes. Sean taught my sister Jackie roughly eleven years ago, and he’s had me twice, so he was overjoyed at having my dad in class. “I was happy to see Armando contribute to our discussion on gender equality and really listen to the kids in the class,” Brookes said. 

(Katherine Contreras/The Jaguardian)

Armando Contreras, listening intently during a class discussion.

Unfortunately, shortly after this picture was taken, my Dad simply had to get back to work, conveniently right before his Calculus class. “I got a sense of school from the rest of the day. There’s a lot to do and a lot happening, I’ve never experienced it like that. It’s impressive that she does it everyday” Contreras said. As for me, I also gained a new appreciation for my dad. Facilities does the tireless work day after day that keeps us happy and safe, and I definitely struggled at some points during the journey. 

All good things must come to an end eventually, and I’m so grateful I got to have my best friend by my side every day for such a long time. Love you, Papi.

(Photo courtesy of Armando Contreras)

Armando Contreras and Katherine Contreras at a New Roads all-school picnic in 2009.