Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, with its more than 500 children, was the target.

A man, around 30 years old, shaking the back doors attempting to enter, was the perpetrator.

A Securitas guard, contracted by FCCPS to protect their schools, was the guardian.

Confronted by a Securitas guard, the perpetrator ran, hopped a fence, and continued off campus. The guard followed, pursuing the suspect on foot until he managed to hop on a Metro train and escape.

Our hero? Not quite…try heroine.

Ms. Yvette Minnifield is the only female security guard patrolling the GMHS and MEHMS campus. Her gender, however, has no impact on her job performance or her relationship with any of her coworkers.

“Whatever any male has to do, I have to do it too,” Minnifield said. “When I first started though, I was a little mad about having to go outside in the winter.”

Minnifield comes to us from Prince George County Schools, where she was a substitute teacher, security guard, and everything in between. She decided to change careers two years ago, joined Securitas and was posted here.

Graduating from Suitland High School in 1989, Minnifield went straight to Potomac Academy of Hair Design in Lanham, Maryland, where she graduated in 1991. Minnifield excelled in her classes, particularly in cutting hair, and eventually helped the teacher with struggling students.

She worked at JC Penny’s for 13 years, then left to work at Update Hair Design, who allowed her to work on her own schedule while still keeping 50% of her profits for ten years. However, when the recession hit, Minnifield switched to hairdressing part time and substituting part time at Prince George’s County.

Minnifield still does hair in her home on the weekends for six clients who have been with her for many years, but it has become more of a hobby rather than a career.

“I have two hair-dryers, the salon chair, and everything I need,” said Minnifield. “It’s just a corner in my kitchen that I made into a salon. I’m still doing hair because I have six clients who won’t go anywhere else!”

In fact, there have been rumours flying through the halls of Minnifield allegedly braiding students’ hair. One of these students is sophomore, Sophie Matton.

“I was sitting in the cafeteria and my friend was braiding my hair and she [Minnifield] walked up behind me and said ‘That’s not how you do it’ and took over,” said Matton. “I have to admit, it was a really solid braid. My hair looked pretty good.”

Minnifield also braids her grandson’s hair, who is one year old and lives with Minifield and her daughter in Maryland. He was born four years after Minnifield’s mother died tragically of cancer, at 66, in 2010.

“My mom wasn’t really ready to go when she passed away, and I think my grandson is her coming back as a boy,” said Minnifield.

A strong believer in reincarnation, Minnifield already has the signs to prove her theory, even though her grandson only a year.

“He’s a clown like my mom. He dances at the drop of a dime…my mom. He thinks everything is funny…my mom! He takes after her a lot,” said Minnifield. “He’ll be asleep and he’ll just start laughing and I’m thinking that’s my mom playing with him.”

Although educated in Prince George’s County, Minnifield hopes that her grandson can be educated in a different school district, as she has lost faith in the PGC school system.

“They’re not interested in getting an education. They’re interested in disrupting the learning process and they do a really good job,” said Minnifield. “It’s different at Mason.”

She has been working on campus for the past couple years and has already made close bonds with teachers and students in that short amount of time. When patrolling the halls, she can be seen talking with fellow guards, teachers, and even sharing a joke with a student.

“She’s a really funny person but she will make you do what you need to do,” said senior Robert Tartt. “I don’t really like to go to class but if she sees me in the hall, she’ll make a joke about it but then she’ll make me go to class.”

“I bond with everybody, including students…you all are my favorites,” she said. “My absolute favorite part about this job is making sure you all are safe.”

Minnifield, although not technically an employee of FCCPS, has found herself at home with the Mason family. Whether working the front desk, driving in a golf cart around the grounds, or just walking the halls, Minnifield is a glowing presence in the school, working hard to make sure students and teachers are safe.

“She’s the face of Mason, the first person you see,” said Assistant Principal, Mr. Kevin Clark. “She does more than just what her role is as a security presence. She’s become a really big part of the school community.”