By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–They are the Union City School System’s version of the postal service.
And neither rain, sleet nor any other type of weather conditions keep Ada Nolan and Bertie Allen from making their appointed rounds.
Take this morning’s 21-degree temperatures or the steady cold day-long rain of Wednesday as examples.
The two women — who are employees of the Union City Police Department, yet considered beloved members of the UC Schools family — were at their usual traffic flow posts in front of Union City High School and at the rear of UC Elementary both days.
They waved to many passers-by, got hugs from students, directed buses on their regular routes and generally kept things moving during a busy time when some 1,600 students first get-to, then return home from school.
“These people are my big second family,” the 70-year-old Nolan said, while getting a hug from a young student during a brief break in the car line on Bishop Street behind UCES. “I’ve been doing this for 32 years now, and I’m seeing kids of kids I first saw back at Central Elementary. I’m even seeing some of their grandkids.
“And I just love them. I’m scared if I ever get another job, I’ll die.”
Nolan was honored for 30 years of service by then-UC Director of Schools Gary Houston back in 2017. She’s held her post while simultaneously having a handful of other jobs over the years and despite already having had one knee replacement. She says she’ll have another one in the spring.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had other jobs – like housecleaning – where those people would let me off to continue doing this,” Nolan claimed. “I’ve always kept a side job, but I can’t even think about not doing this.
“I just feed off people. I love them. I can’t help it.”
Allen, who handles the traffic flow on Miles Avenue in front of the UC High School, is actually a second-generation traffic monitor and the third person in her family to handle the responsibilities. Her mother, Anna Pearl Bass, and sister, Jackie Brown, also worked in the position.
She’s worked at other posts in and around UC schools and the Head Start program over a nearly 20-year period.
Allen echoed Nolan’s comments about forming a bond with those who make up the flow to and from both the high school and middle school, saying, “You see the same people in the same cars and trucks from August ’til May and it’s almost like you have a relationship with them.
“They smile and they wave. They know you’re helping them get to and from school safely, and they appreciate it. Cell phones have made the job a little more difficult. Sometimes, drivers get distracted and don’t pay attention. You have to pay attention for them.”
The job is actually a second one for Allen, who works the second shift at Tyson – something she’s done for 13 years.
UC Assistant Director of Schools Michael Paul Miller heaped high words of praise on both Nolan and Allen, insisting the two ladies are valuable members of the everyday goings-on on the Purple and Gold campuses.
“You can’t understate the importance of what those two do,” Miller said. “In an era where safety is at the top of our lists in schools, they provide an invaluable service. They take great pride in what they do. They’re loyal and you can watch the rapport they have with students and parent drivers.
“They are part of us, and they love our kids. And they love Union City Schools.”
While they obviously share the same responsibilities and have many similar thoughts, Nolan and Allen do differ greatly when it comes to the elements that are part of their job(s).
“Give me winter … I get warm and I don’t like it,” Nolan laughed Tuesday afternoon when temperatures were in the 30s. “I know it sounds crazy.”
It, for sure, did to Allen.
“I don’t like the cold and rain … at all,” she stated matter-of-factly.
Regardless, in all kinds of weather, both faithfully make sure to “deliver. ”
Photo by Mike Hutchens
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