Keeping Sky View Shining: Cade Wallentine Named CCSD Custodian of the Year

Cade Wallentine, a familiar face and essential force at Sky View High School for nine years, has been honored as the Cache County School District Custodian of the Year. Wallentine, the Head Custodian, embodies a quiet dedication that keeps the bustling school running smoothly, often from the pre-dawn hours until long after the last bell.

His journey with the school district is a lengthy one. “I actually got the 20-year pin this spring,” he notes, reflecting on a career that started as a sweeper right out of high school.

Custodial work wasn't initially the plan for the North Logan native and Sky View alumnus ('07). He was going to school for agriculture, but his father’s 30-year career as a district custodian inspired a change. “I didn’t ever really plan on being a custodian, but my dad worked as one for the school district... and that’s where I got familiar with the job,” Wallentine shared. He followed a professional connection, Casey Hillyard, from Mountain Crest to Sky View and has been integral to the SV team ever since.

Wallentine appreciates the varied nature of his work, which complements his passion for ranching. “I run cows on the side and kind of do the ranching thing. This job works well because I can go out after work and do that kind of stuff. The flexibility is nice,” he explains.

His day-to-day isn't just about cleaning. “My favorite thing is probably that not every day is the same,” he says. From cleaning floors and carpets to changing filters, mowing, and coordinating with others, the job is a dynamic mix. “There can be a whole myriad of things that you do on a day-to-day basis, so that’s kind of nice to have a change-up every once in a while.”

As Head Custodian, he thrives on interaction, coordinating with teachers, administrators, and office staff. “Coordinating with others and trying to get everything planned out so it runs smoothly is probably one of my favorite things about the job,” he says. He even enjoys mentoring the students who work as sweepers, watching their “progression... from when they’re Freshmen to later when they’re Juniors and Seniors.”

Sky View Principal Shane Jones, who has seen Wallentine's efforts firsthand, is effusive in his praise. He credits Wallentine's commitment with preserving the historic building. “Sky View is 60 years old, and it’s not uncommon that when we get alumni groups visiting the school, they’ll say, ‘I can’t believe the school is 60 years old! It’s been taken care of so well.’” He notes Wallentine's unwavering dedication, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave, and always stepping in when someone is absent. “He’s always filling in for others. When a custodian is gone, the work doesn’t go anywhere, but someone’s still got to do it. And Cade steps into that role.”

Office Receptionist Dana Downs echoes the sentiment, saying, “Cade is the absolute best. We just love him and we are so grateful for everything he does!”

Wallentine understands the quiet importance of his team's labor. “I kind of joke sometimes about what it would look like or how things would go if the custodians didn’t show up that day,” he muses. From unlocking the building at 5:00 a.m. to facilitating late-night after-school events, their work is vital.

Though custodial work can sometimes be thankless, Wallentine feels appreciated at Sky View. “I feel like we kind of get spoiled here with recognition sometimes. It’s nice,” he says. Ultimately, his fulfillment comes from knowing the job is done right. “Being a good custodian means you don’t rely on recognition, but you just get fulfillment by doing things behind the scenes,” Wallentine concludes. “I just take pride in knowing that the buildings are clean, looking good, and are safe places to be.”