Student's, custodian's special bond now will be passed on

Every day Billy Anderson sweeps cafeteria floors and stacks chairs at Rolling Meadows High School.

And somewhere Al Weber is probably smiling.

Billy has Down and Asperger syndromes, which severely restrict his speech and social interaction. He graduated from Rolling Meadows High School in 1999 and stayed to volunteer at the school mostly because of Weber, the school's building and grounds supervisor.

When Billy was a student the two bonded, with Weber teaching Billy how to do custodial jobs. Over time, Weber became Billy's mentor and favorite at-school companion. During work breaks, the two would watch Al's favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, on a small television.

"Thanks to Al, Billy broke out of his shell," said his mom, Lori Anderson. "He was focused and could talk to people."

Weber died from stomach cancer shortly after he retired in 2001. But Billy, now 28, continues in Weber's footsteps, volunteering at the school every day from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., when Lori picks him up and they head home.

"Al's my boss," Billy said.

In Al's honor, Lori and Bill Anderson started the $1,000 Al Weber-Billy Anderson scholarship for underdogs like Billy, Lori Anderson said.

"Kids who are the best athletes and kids who get the best grades are honored all the time," Lori said. "This scholarship is for kids who need a ladder. It's for kids who try really hard."

Billy graduated in 1999 alongside his sister, Jennifer. But state law allowed him to stick with school until he was 21. In Billy's case, that was in 2001, the same year Weber retired after 25 years with District 214.

Today Gary Latas has Weber's old job and is Billy's "boss."

Billy comes to work during the summer. When he's sick, he's upset about staying home, Latas said.

"He's always happy to be here," he said.

Billy's also been known to join in cafeteria karaoke contests during lunch, Latas said.

Rolling Meadows Principal Charles Johns witnessed the relationship between Billy and Weber through the years.

"It was really one of the sweetest things I've ever seen," Johns said. "To watch the two of them interact was really something."

Before he retired, Weber and Billy were a popular pair around Rolling Meadows. The two almost never missed a Mustang football game. Billy still attends every single one.

In 2000, Billy and Weber delivered the game ball before kickoff of the homecoming football game -- stepping from a helicopter onto the football field in front of about 3,000 cheering fans.

"As time went by, I guess he grew to be a real friend to me," said Weber at the football game eight years ago. "It makes me feel good to think I've done something."

Students applying for the Al and Billy scholarship will need to write a one-page essay touching in part on financial need and in part on their demonstration of a good attitude.

The scholarship application deadline is April 15. For more information, call Rolling Meadows High School at (847) 718-5600.