Every morning, long before the first bell rings, school kitchens across New York are already buzzing with activity. Trays are filled, carts are rolled into hallways, vending machines are stocked with reimbursable morning meals, and students are greeted with warm smiles.
During National School Breakfast Week, we are proud to celebrate our 2026 No Kid Hungry New York School Breakfast Champions — the cafeteria staff, cook managers, and principals who ensure students begin each day nourished and ready to learn.
The Heart of School Breakfast
Our champions ensure every morning begins with nourishment and possibility
At Pine Bush High School, Danielle Wilson prepares and packages nearly 350 reimbursable breakfasts each day for the school’s vending program. Her meticulous attention to quality and compliance has helped drive a 103% increase in breakfast participation.
In the Poughkeepsie City School District, Julia Takos at Krieger Elementary School and Gabriella Ceja-Ponce at Sojourner Truth Elementary have built welcoming breakfast programs that consistently achieve some of the highest participation rates in the district. For over 20 years, they have greeted students with warmth and encouragement, helping them start each day on a positive note.
Brenda Wood, a dedicated member of the school nutrition team at Poughkeepsie High School, has also served the district for over two decades. Her cheerful presence each morning and encouragement for students to start their day with a smile make her an invaluable part of the school community.
At Alexandria Central School District, co–cook managers Crystal Diange and Ashley Watkins have transformed breakfast into a joyful and anticipated part of the school day. From scratch-made meals to themed breakfasts like green eggs and ham, they create excitement around nutritious food. Their dedication begins before sunrise — regardless of the weather — to ensure everything is ready when students arrive.
Putting Students First
School Breakfast Champions do more than prepare meals — they remove barriers and expand access.
In the Rochester City School District, Ubah Kibar goes above and beyond to support both her team and the students she serves. She steps in to assist at other schools when staffing is short, always brining a positive attitude and a welcoming smile. Treating students like they are her own, she takes extra care to explain and even translate healthy menu items to encourage participation.
Cook Manager Lora Patterson-Dunlop has strengthened participation by bringing breakfast directly to students through a Breakfast After the Bell cart, ensuring convenience and accessibility at Berlin Central School District. As both a school leader and parent, she approaches every student with the same care she would her own child.
Principal Gisselle Campbell-Ham, principal of Freeport High School, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in strengthening breakfast access for her students. She partners closely with cafeteria staff, enhances menu quality, and fosters a welcoming meal environment—leading to a meaningful increase in student participation. She even goes above and beyond by personally escorting students to the cafeteria when needed, ensuring every student begins the day nourished and ready to learn..
At DREAM Charter Schools, leaders like Essence Carrero, Kyle Hueston, Tracey Parker, and Rhondell Payton elevate breakfast through creativity, operational excellence, and deep community engagement. They design culturally responsive menus, gather feedback from students and families, refine systems to improve service, and create welcoming dining spaces where students feel seen and supported. Their work has led to meaningful increases in participation and stronger connections between nutrition and student well-being.
Fueling Bright Futures
At No Kid Hungry New York, we believe no child should start the day hungry. Our School Breakfast Champions bring that belief to life — through early mornings, teamwork, creativity, and unwavering commitment to students.
This National School Breakfast Week, we celebrate:
- Ubah Kibar, Rochester City School District
- Brenda Wood, Poughkeepsie City School District
- Julia Takos, Poughkeepsie City School District
- Gabriella Ceja-Ponce, Poughkeepsie City School District
- Crystal Diange, Alexandria Central School District
- Ashley Watkins, Alexandria Central School District
- Essence Carrero, DREAM Charter Schools
- Kyle Hueston, DREAM Charter Schools
- Tracey Parker, DREAM Charter Schools
- Rhondell Payton, DREAM Charter Schools
- Gisselle Campbell-Ham, Freeport Public Schools
- Lora Patterson-Dunlop, Berlin Central School District
- Danielle Wilson, Pine Bush Central School District
Their work ensures that thousands of students across New York begin each day fueled, focused, and ready to dream big. Over the coming weeks, we’re proud to spotlight our 2026 New York School Breakfast Champions on social media – join us on Instagram @NoKidHungryNY to celebrate these leaders!
