'Guardian angel' Shelby McInnis of Souris, wins P.E.I. Crossing Guard of the Year

When he walked into the gym at Souris Regional School Monday afternoon and students began chanting "Shelby! Shelby! Shelby!" Shelby McInnis wasn't expecting the surprise he got being named P.E.I.'s first crossing guard of the year.

He can let you know with a look that you need to slow down and stop. PEI Home and School Federation

The PEI Home and School Federation decided to begin awarding the honour this year, and took in nominations from across the Island.

"People don't take it seriously. It's like 'oh, he's just there'," said Grade 12 student Miranda Veld. "He keeps kids safe, he keeps us safe walking back and forth."

"Without him, God know what could happen? He keeps so many kids safe and he also brightens peoples' day and puts a smile on their face," said Danika Chapman, who collaborated with Veld on a video about McInnis for a class project. In it, one school staffer called McInnis, "our guardian angel."

McInnis is employed through a local non-profit organization, HarbourviewTraining Centre, which creates opportunities for people with intellectualdisabilities to participate in their community.

'Surprised and nervous'

Afterward, McInnis said,"I was surprised and nervous" when he found out about the award.He added he enjoys his job, keeping kids safe and sometimes cheering them up.

"I'm happy," he told CBC reporter Nancy Russell.

"We wanted everybody to be aware of how special he is to us," said Veld. "He's always kind, he's willing to do anything for you, he'll talk to anyone."

Students at Souris Regional put together a binder full of letters and cards in support of McInnis, and wore his favourite team's jersey at the celebration the Montreal Canadiens. McInnis's family and friends fromHarbourviewwere there too.

In its citation, the federation called McInnis a "dedicated and caring person who is exceptional in his daily caretaking of students and other community members who use a very busy crosswalk at Souris School."

It also noted that McInnis has put himself in harm's way for his work, "even putting himself between a car failing to yield when there was a child on his crosswalk. He can let you know with a look that you need to slow down and stop."

MORE P.E.I. NEWS IPit bull gets flight to P.E.I. after Ontario ban complicates journey home

MORE P.E.I. NEWS IRCMP rededicate unmarked grave in Souris