Mario Gonzalez is a prime example of the spirit of Good Counsel. Born in Guatemala, Mario was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth and moved to the United States with his family early in life. Alongside his brother Jorge, he began working at Good Counsel in 1987 as a member of the maintenance staff. For the past 37 years, Mario has put a smile on the faces of thousands of students with his positivity, kindness, and dedication in the lunchroom and beyond. “Mario loves God, Family, and GC,” teacher Mrs. Cabigas stated. His hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed; this past summer, hundreds of members of the Good Counsel community celebrated Mario’s 70th birthday with Mario Fest.
Mario’s ability to form meaningful personal connections with members of the Good Counsel community and bring a smile to their faces is one of the many qualities loved about him. Since the beginning, he has formed connections with thousands of students through his gregariousness and kindness.
Nealah Malmstrom ’25 shared the sentiment, saying, “Every time I see him, he gives me a fist bump or a hug and looks at me and says, ‘You good?’. He’s my best bud; I love him.”
Mario’s genuine care for those in the Good Counsel community inspires all who cross paths with him. Arguably, the biggest impact that Mario has had on a Good Counsel student is his connection to Solé Cabigas ’25. Mario and his brother, Jorge, inspired Good Counsel teachers and parents Mrs. Cabigas and Mr. Cabigas ’82 to adopt Solé from Guatemala. “Mario and Jorge introduced us to Guatemalan culture and inspired us to adopt from there. Mario has always been like a tío to Solé,” Mrs. Cabigas shared.
Though he has seen more than thirty senior classes graduate, the positive impact that Mario has had on former students does not fade; neither does his memory of them. Dr. Dean recalled, “One of my favorite parts of Mario is that he has this uncanny ability to remember people. My sister graduated six years before I did, and even twenty years later, at the new campus, he immediately recognized both of us and made the connection that we were sisters. To see the joy on his face, to see us together, and to feel so valued by him was such a quintessential ‘Mario’ moment for me.” Even years after their graduation, Mario does not fail to put a smile on the faces of former students.
Mario is a man who cannot be described in only one word; however, when asked to describe him in such a way, members of the Good Counsel community recalled some of his incredible traits. Mr. Rodriguez described Mario as “worthy.” When asked to elaborate, Rodriguez continued, “You run the risk of, every time you meet someone, there are good and bad qualities to everyone. You run the risk of whether or not you will be compatible in whatever relationship as acquaintances, co-workers, or friends. But it’s just a safe bet that no one is going to meet [Mario] and regret it.”
When asked how she would describe Mario in one word, Mrs. Cabigas responded, “I’ll select two words: community and compassion. Being part of our community is so important to Mario. He genuinely cares about the staff, students, and alumni. Mario has a deep, sensitive heart. Often moved to tears in solidarity with those who are suffering. He is an open-hearted man.”
As one of the most iconic people in Good Counsel history, Mario is often (and deservingly) celebrated by the Good Counsel community. To celebrate his 70th birthday this past September, Good Counsel organized Mario Fest, a gathering of hundreds of people in the Good Counsel community to celebrate the blessing that Mario is to the community. “It was cool to see so many generations of people from the Good Counsel community there to celebrate him,” Dr. Dean commented.
Aside from major events like Mario Fest, Mario is often commended at assemblies and through small gestures from students and staff members throughout the school day.
A compassionate, hardworking, and gregarious man, Mario Gonzalez has overcome significant adversity and improved the lives of thousands through his dedication to Good Counsel. Mario’s love has not gone unnoticed, and he is more than worthy of all the recognition he receives. The Good Counsel community is blessed to have Mario, and its members are incredibly grateful for all that he does for the community.