For nearly three decades, students outside a Brampton elementary school have been greeted by the warm welcomes of Gisele Young.

Now 93 years old, Young is renowned for welcoming students with little morning pick-me-ups as she helps them cross the street.

And in her 28 years on the job, she hasn’t missed a day of work.

“Good morning! Isn’t it a beautiful day?” she said Wednesday morning as she stopped traffic for a group of students.

To honour Young’s kindness and dedication, she was named one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards and presented with an award from Parachute Canada, a national safety group, on Wednesday morning.

She received the award at a surprise ceremony inside Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School. Parents, students and teachers cheered her on with enthusiastic applause as she hoisted the award in the air.

“I feel so happy,” Young told CTV Toronto after the ceremony.

The school nominated Young because of her daily acts of kindness, the school’s principal said.

“Students coming from all different walks of life, they see her – she’s always smiling, always encouraging -- and when they come into the school I know that has a positive effect on our students,” said principal Randall Stewart.

Students reiterated the positive influence Young has on their morning routines.

“She always says ‘Good morning’ to me when I pass by her, even though I don’t cross the street. And I really think she’s really polite,” a student told CTV Toronto.

Young insists that it’s the young students who give her the motivation to keep showing up to work, rain or shine.

“They make my day. They’re the ones that make me go on. They give me the strength to go,” Young said.

Young received a crystal maple leaf trophy and $500 as part of her prize.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s John Musselman