Open door policy
Sydney Academy student Tony Nguyen greets classmates every day
The door of kindness obviously never closes around Tony Nguyen.
Nguyen, a Grade 10 student at Sydney Academy, can be seen at the high school first thing almost every morning, opening the doors for students and greeting them as they enter the building.
“Hi,” he said to one student entering Friday, while greeting another with “Good morning.”
Many students walking in thanked Nguyen, and one turned and said “Tony’s awesome.”
Ainslie Trimm, a Grade 9 student, said this is a natural daily thing for Nguyen.
“I think it’s really nice because it brightens everyone’s day in the morning.”
Her cousin Mya Trimm, a Grade 10 student, said while opening the door Nguyen always adds, “Good morning.”
“I think it’s absolutely awesome because you don’t see many people who do things like that these days,” she said.
“It’s awesome and shows chivalry still exists.”
However, Mya said Nguyen is simply an all-around nice guy whose thoughtfulness goes far beyond the door. A member of the student council, she said around holidays like Halloween and Christmas they sell candygrams as a fundraiser.
“Tony always brings birthday or Christmas money and buys one for everyone in his class.”
Nguyen said he enjoys opening the door for people.
“I do it for fun,” he said, adding most students say thanks.
“I’m there most days so they don’t have to but most do.
“One student always fist bumps me.”
Some students show gratitude in other special ways.
“One student stopped yesterday and gave me a cookie.”
Nguyen is usually outside at the cafeteria door but says he sometimes goes to other doors, including the teacher’s entrance. Often teachers are carrying coffee and books and have their arms full, he said.
“They have to in put a code and are always carrying a lot of stuff so I open the door to make it easier for them.”
Nguyen is often manning the door at lunch time as well.
The Post was contacted about Nguyen by Patsy Magliaro of Sydney, who was dropping her daughter off at the school when her daughter pointed him out to her.
“She noted it to me and it touched me as well,” she said.
“Then I found out he used to do it at his old school Sherwood Park as well.”
Patsy said she recognized Nguyen’s name from an awards ceremony at Sherwood Park Education Centre as one of the top students.
“He won a major award so I knew already he must be an amazing person. They only give that to ones who volunteer, are very much aware in the community and do well in school.”
Nikki said she has gone to school with Nguyen for several years now, describing him as “always a nice genuine person.”
“He’s been doing this for so long and there’s not a lot of people like this in the world. He should get the credit he deserves.”
Nguyen said he did start opening the doors at Sherwood Park Education Centre after noticing how nice it was to see others do it.
“It inspired me to do it.”
As well it appears kindness runs in the family. Nguyen said there are two doors at the Sydney Academy cafeteria and one is kept locked. However, at one time when both opened, his sister Nova sometimes helped, he said.
Basically hearing comments made about him, he admitted it felt good.
“I hope it doesn’t sound selfish but it does make me feel good,” he said.
Nancy Manship, a teacher assistant at the high school, said one of her favourite parts of the day is seeing Nguyen at the door in the morning.
“He’s always there with a big smile, saying ‘Hi,’” she said.
“He always calls me by name and
holds the door open.
“It’s a great way to start a day on a positive note. Earlier I was coming through the doors there and his sister held the door open for me and some other students coming through. It must be a really nice family.”
Principal Kevin Deveaux said Nguyen’s “a gentleman at all times,” is on student council, a member of the honours society and gave the greetings at the school’s honour night.
“He’s a great kid, involved in the debate club and helps out around the school.”
Although Deveaux didn’t know about the door gesture, he wasn’t really surprised.
“It’s not a task, he just goes and does it. It shows his character.”
Deveaux said hearing many students acknowledge Nguyen’s kind gesture with a thank you is very nice to hear.
Meanwhile Nguyen has no plans of giving up his tradition. However the thought of standing at any doors are closed when it comes to thinking of future careers.
However, his endeavours will include continuing to make a difference in the lives around him as he plans on entering an environmental field.
“I want to help out our Earth because of the condition that it’s in.”