NORTHAMPTON — Every morning and afternoon, students at Bridge Street Elementary School know exactly who will be waiting for them at the curb.

Whether guiding children across busy streets, sharing a laugh or helping nervous students feel comfortable, crossing guards Breckton Drougas and Marge Barnett have become a familiar part of the school day. Their impact recently earned them recognition as Massachusetts Crossing Guard Champions of 2026.

The recognition comes from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Annual Safe Routes to School Awards, which aims to highlight the important role of crossing guards in helping students and families travel to and from school.

This year, more than 450 nominations were submitted for 74 crossing guards within 40 different communities in Massachusetts. Barnett and Drougas received a combined nearly 50 votes from faculty, parents and students in the Bridge Street community.

“I was totally blown away and it was totally humbling because it’s not like the crossing guards applied for it, the parents and staff nominated us. Almost 50 people had something positive to say, enough that statewide we were chosen out of hundreds of schools,” said Barnett, who works on the Parsons Street side of the school while Drougas is stationed along Bridge Street.

Those nominating their favorite crossing guards were prompted with questions such as “How does your crossing guard go above and beyond to keep students safe?” and “How is your crossing guard special?”

Barnett said her initial incentive to work this job was its inclusion in Northampton’s Senior Property Tax Work Off Program that allows moderate- to low-income seniors to work off a maximum of $2,000 in real estate taxes. But an added bonus, and the reason she loves the job, is being able to see young children each day.

“I don’t have any grandchildren and I love little kids,” she said.

Drougas said they felt an immense amount of gratitude for the people who submitted votes for them. Although the crossing guards were not allowed to know who voted for them, Drougas said that multiple people they’ve helped cross told them they voted in the competition.

Drougas likes to fill their days with work that includes being outside and connecting with people.

“I love being outside, which is why I also do Pedal People. Interaction, connection, it’s a great thing, we all need it,” they said.

Drougas said a favorite moment of theirs from the job came about when a little girl who crosses the street from Drougas’s side heard about the award and realized she had been incorrectly calling them Brandon instead of Breckton.

“[She] just doubles over laughing for weeks like ‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me your real name’,” they explained. “She just goes, it’s just the biggest mistake you could make in your whole life.”

While Barnett said she can recall many stories that stay with her, she happily remembers a preschool student who she would walk across the street everyday, always huddled in her dad’s arms and barely looking up.

“One day, dad put her down and she started walking and we did this little hopping thing with each other and by the end of the year she was totally comfortable being at school and interacting with people,” Barnett said.

Barnett said she values the chance to not only keep the kids safe, but to help them feel welcomed and seen. One way she does this is by showing them the pineapple weed in the garden. Both the leaves of the plant and the crushed stems smell like pineapple, which Barnett uses to brighten the kids’ day.

“There are a lot of different ways that make this a special job,” she said.