No Kid Hungry South Carolina Celebrates Principals Championing School Meals

Dr. Andrew Cartee is a dynamic supporter of school nutrition, working tirelessly to ensure all students are fed year-round—even devising solutions during periods when food service was restricted. He leads with creativity and heart, hosting weekly karaoke lunches to build community and excitement in the cafeteria. His thoughtful cafeteria flow, grab-and-go breakfast cart, and daily presence have contributed to an impressive 80% lunch participation rate. Dr. Cartee doesn’t hesitate to jump in and serve when needed—truly leading by example.

Nominated by Mickela Mitchell

Jeff Parks understands that learning begins with full stomachs. Whether it’s joining students in the cafeteria for lunch, hand-delivering a Thanksgiving meal to a student who couldn’t make it to school, or distributing meals in 100-degree heat, Mr. Parks is always present. He models servant leadership daily and consistently champions school meals as essential to student well-being and success.

Nominated by Cindy Jacobs

Arneice Renwick is a true innovator and advocate for healthy eating. She tastes new menu items live on her school’s morning show, winning over young students with enthusiasm and authenticity. Her early support of grab-and-go breakfast helped the program thrive, and thanks to her leadership, her school often reaches near 100% lunch participation. She’s always ready to try something new if it means more students are nourished.

Nominated by Cindy Jacobs

Beth Compton ensures no student goes hungry—encouraging breakfast every morning and offering meals throughout the day to any student who needs one. She’s a constant supporter of the nutrition team and helps drive both breakfast and lunch participation by prioritizing student wellness every day.

Nominated by Melissa de Ciutiis

David Dixon treats school meals as essential—not optional—and works closely with staff to improve access, quality, and student engagement. He’s a familiar face in the cafeteria, actively seeks student feedback, and promotes nutrition programs through community newsletters. He doesn’t just treat school meals as a logistical chore, he sees them as a vital part of student well-being and academic achievement. He has championed initiatives to improve both the quality and accessibility of the food, often personally collaborating with cafeteria staff and even seeking student feedback. He ensures that the community is well-informed about meal programs by utilizing newsletters to spread the word about accessible meals for all students. This visible and proactive outreach demonstrates his belief that student hunger is a community issue, effectively mobilizing Gilbert community to support and participate in the ongoing success of the school’s commitment to nourishing its students. His leadership sends a powerful message: feeding students is a community responsibility.

Nominated by Tori Lowery

Maquitta Davis leads with inclusion, respect, and deep appreciation for her nutrition team. She supports school nutrition-led events like Breakfast Week and Heroes Day, includes the cafeteria staff in schoolwide celebrations, and advocates for smooth, student-friendly lunch schedules. Her belief in teamwork and kindness creates a supportive environment where everyone feels seen—and students are always well-fed.

Nominated by Angela Thomas

Leon Hayes is a strong supporter of breakfast in the classroom and never hesitates to help when the nutrition team needs anything. His involvement in programs like Book Bag Buddy and Manners Day shows his commitment to student development—starting with a healthy breakfast and a welcoming environment.

Nominated by Omar Thomas

Sarah Dunn is a passionate advocate for healthy eating, working closely with the school nutrition team to maintain high standards and keep parents informed. Her outreach and encouragement help create an environment where nutritious meals are normalized, appreciated, and integrated into student success.

Nominated by Roberta Zavoda

Matt Critell is an enthusiastic supporter of school nutrition, regularly promoting new menu items—like Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles—and treating the food service team as critical partners in student success. He volunteers at high-profile events, emcees the Euphoria Food & Wine Festival’s student competition, and helps pilot innovative meal programs. His school is a testing ground for excellence in school nutrition.

Nominated by Ron Jones

Dr. Melanie Vaughn is a transformative leader who has made eliminating student hunger her mission. She implemented free breakfast and lunch for all students, ensured leftovers are sent home for snacks, and wrote grants to fund afterschool meals. Through the Sacks of Love program, students also take home meal kits with fresh produce on weekends and breaks. Dr. Vaughn fosters a stigma-free, nurturing culture where every child is fed—and every need is met with dignity, compassion, and action.

Nominated by Katie Connell on behalf of all PACE Academy Teachers

In his first year at the school, Dr. Anthony Williams has made a powerful impact by promoting healthy meals and rewarding student success. He personally funds monthly snack rewards, helps motivate students to eat breakfast and lunch, and builds strong relationships with students and staff. His energy and belief in his students are helping drive both academic and behavioral improvements.

Nominated by Gwen Phillips

Ricky White is a champion for students and a true team player. He greets students each morning with a smile, values his nutrition staff as partners, and always makes sure they’re included in school planning. His leadership helps make breakfast and lunch times something students look forward to.

Nominated by Gwen Phillips

Jimmy McCullough empowers both students and staff by treating school nutrition as a vital part of education. He supports creative ideas, invests in staff development, and advocates for community engagement around local, fresh foods—earning high praise from his cafeteria team and the broader community. His willingness to serve alongside staff and spotlight their contributions—like promoting SC-grown collard greens—makes him a standout leader.

“We as a cafeteria team come up with some out-of-the-box ideas sometimes, and Principal McCullough always has our back whether it’s adjusting schedules, so students have enough time to enjoy their meals, or finding ways to make those creative ideas work. He also supports us outside the cafeteria, like allowing us to hold fundraisers at school events to help our local school nutrition chapter. His leadership not only helps students get the healthy meals they need, but also makes us as staff feel seen, respected, and empowered to keep doing our best work.”

Nominated by Dee’on Bellamy

Allyson Goff is a consistent, caring presence in her cafeteria, regularly checking in on staff and making sure they are included in all school events. Her inclusive approach helps create a positive atmosphere where students and staff alike feel respected and supported.

Nominated by Gwen Phillips

Adele Dixon has transformed Blaney Elementary into the district’s most successful elementary school meal program by fully embracing the mission of feeding students. She champions the use of the cafeteria as an extension of the classroom, helping students see food and nutrition as part of their education. Thanks to her leadership and support, Blaney has the highest breakfast and lunch participation in the district and operates the largest afterschool supper program, feeding students up to four times a day. Her belief that learning happens everywhere—and that no child should be hungry—has created a culture of respect and enthusiasm around school meals.

Nominated by Nicole Greenwood

Dr. Kimberly Gillett has taken intentional steps to prioritize school nutrition by restructuring the school schedule to allow for more relaxed and meaningful breakfast and lunch experiences. She expanded grab-and-go options to reduce stigma and ensure all students could access breakfast, even if they arrived late. For lunch, Dr. Gillett introduced staggered lunch periods so students no longer spend the entire time in line and instead have a chance to eat and connect with peers. Her student-centered approach reflects a deep understanding that nutrition lays the foundation for student success, and her leadership ensures every student is set up to thrive.

Nominated by Angela Long