Unsung Heroes: Cafeteria Staff

All photos taken by Sienna Kenney.

Sienna Kenney

The Unsung Heroes series is dedicated to shining a spotlight on the individuals and teams at Hamilton who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our school running smoothly. In this edition, we honor our incredible cafeteria staff—the hardworking team that ensures every student at Hamilton High School is served warm, nutritious meals each and every day.

Behind the scenes of every school day at Hamilton High is a team that plays a vital role in student well-being—our cafeteria staff. While their work may go unnoticed by many, their daily responsibilities are anything but ordinary.

From the moment the school day begins, the cafeteria team is hard at work. “Our management team starts their day around 5:40 AM,” shared Mrs. King, Director of Nutritional Services for the district. Their early start ensures that everything is ready before the first bell rings. The team preps and cooks both breakfast and lunch items, washes and slices fresh produce, sets up the salad bar, and makes sure every meal is nutritious and ready to serve.

In addition to preparing food, the staff handles sanitation and student support. Between lunch periods, they sanitize tables, assist students as needed, and operate cash registers. After the final meal is served, they clean up and begin preparations for the next day, ensuring the kitchen is ready to go.

While most team members work between 5 to 5.25 hours a day, some part-time roles focus just on the lunch period, requiring around three hours of work. Their schedule aligns with the school district calendar—if students aren’t in the building, neither is the lunch team. “Many of our staff enjoy their summers with family, while others take on additional jobs,” Mrs. King explained.

Preparation for the school year begins well before students return. In August, the team undergoes mandatory training on topics like food safety, sanitation, and USDA nutrition standards. They also complete school-specific training, including CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, ALICE protocols, and bloodborne pathogen safety. Once the kitchen is organized and the team is in sync, they're ready to welcome students back with a smile and a hot meal.

The Hamilton High cafeteria team is made up of dedicated individuals, each playing a key role in keeping things running smoothly. Julia starts the day by handling breakfast at HHS before heading over to TMS to serve their lunch. The core lunch team includes Brenda, Beth B., Beth L., Tammy, Jenny, and Chris, all of whom work together to prepare, serve, and support students during meal times. Bryce keeps operations flowing behind the scenes as the dishwasher. Calli serves as the Cafeteria Manager for both HHS and TMS, ensuring daily tasks are executed efficiently, while Mrs. King oversees the entire district’s food service operations as the Director.

It’s clear that Hamilton’s cafeteria team isn’t just doing a job—they’re serving with heart. “Our team is made up of truly incredible people,” Mrs. King emphasized, pointing out not only their hard work, but also their deep connection to the school community. Bryce, for example, is a former student from the 18–21 program who now supports the team by managing dishes and trays with tireless dedication. Many others on the team are moms and grandmothers from our own community—people who genuinely care about the students they serve every day.

Their commitment shows in the little details—ensuring meals are hot and fresh, preparing fruit and vegetables by hand, and cleaning up between lunch periods so students have a clean space to eat. As Mrs. King noted, “Your favorite lunch days are often their most challenging.” Whether it’s a special meal or a high-volume day, they’re often working harder behind the scenes to make it memorable for students.

With all this in mind, a simple act of gratitude can go a long way. One of the most meaningful ways students can show appreciation is by saying "thank you." A quick smile, a kind word, or even making an effort to clean up after yourself can have a big impact. These small gestures let the staff know their hard work is seen and valued.

“Our staff goes above and beyond every single day,” Mrs. King said, “and even just a moment of recognition can make all the difference.” So next time you grab your tray or walk past the kitchen, take a second to thank the people who help make your day a little brighter—and a lot more delicious.

In the hustle and bustle of the school day, it’s easy to overlook the people who make it all possible—but our Hamilton lunch team deserves to be seen, celebrated, and sincerely thanked. As Mrs. King put it, “My staff rocks, and I can’t say enough good things about them.” After 13 years in her role overseeing food services across the district, she confidently calls this current team the best she’s ever had. “They are not only fantastic people but also an outstanding lunch team,” she shared. “They work hard to bring new ideas to life and ensure you all receive the best quality food possible.”

Every tray served, every clean table, every fresh meal is the result of effort, dedication, and genuine care. These individuals don’t just serve food—they serve kindness, community, and consistency, day in and day out.