By Chris Huntington

MILLVILLE -- Parents have many concerns as they send their children off to learn the Three R's the Golden Rule each weekday morning. Have they given their children a hearty enough breakfast to see them through the hours of study until lunchtime? Did he get his homework done? Did she get her pencil box? Does he like his teacher? Does she get along with the other kids? Is he making progress? Is she reading as she should?

Worrying is a part of the parental job description. There is no escaping it. But if you drive by Millville School to the intersection of Main and First South, you will see one reason parents here can rest a little easier: Kathryn Johnson. She is at that intersection every morning and afternoon helping Millville Elementary students get to class safely.

Johnson is a crossing guard. Every morning for 45 minutes and every afternoon for 45 more, she stands on the corner with a bright red stop sign in hand, ready and able to lead eager youngsters across Main Street safely.

"I really do it because I love the kids," she says. Some don't think there is a real need for the crossing guard here in Millville, but Johnson believes those are the same people who drive too fast through the school zone.

Johnson took on the job when the American Mothers Association approached the Parent Teacher Association and asked for volunteers to do crossing guard duty. Johnson volunteered and the city later said that they would pay for her services.

Most of the students at school ride the bus to and from Hyrum, said Johnson, but about 60 children every day need to cross Main Street to get home. All the students in the city of Millville are forbidden to ride the bus.

"Sometimes the high school kids come through here kind of fast and that is why I'm here." Johnson said most people respond pretty well but that some still seem to be in too big of a hurry.

When asked if it was harder to keep the kids in line, or the cars slowed down she replied, "both."

"I love the kids and I don't want a real job," Johnson said. Residents of Millville might say that she has a real job -- the more she works, the less they have to worry.

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