We all know him as the ray of sunshine that loves to give students a ride up the hill in his little tractor.
Jose L. Maldonado is a key member of the equestrian team at Ojai Valley School’s Upper Campus, performing a range of duties from feeding the horses to barn upkeep. He started working in 1991 and has now been part of the OVS maintenance for 29 years.
“My brother introduced the job to me and I was very thankful for the opportunity to work at OVS,’’ Mr. Maldonado said.
He works five days a week for 8 hours and keeps a busy schedule. During the week you will see him hard at work at the barn, only taking breaks for breakfast or lunch.
Jose grew up in Michoacán, Mexico and enjoyed a good childhood. After going to school he would meet his friends and play soccer or ride horses.
‘‘I started working with horses when I was just 3 years old through my father who owned some horses,’’ he states.
He finished high school in Mexico and when he was just 18 years old he came to the United States. He now lives in Ventura with his wife and his three children. Outside of OVS he is a big soccer fan, his favorite team being the Cruz Azul, and enjoys playing soccer with his friends.
Jose is a hard worker and all the equestrians at the barn appreciate all the work he does for the horses.
‘‘Jose always brightens up the day when you get to the barn and he will always greet you with a bright smile,’’ says OVS Junior Kyla Pinchassi who has been at OVS and part of the equestrian team for three years now. ‘‘Even after an exhausting day of hard work he will never stop smiling and bringing energy into the barn.’’
Without Jose the barn wouldn’t work the way it does, and he always lightens up everyone’s day with his smile.