May 6th is National School Lunch Hero Day! Virginia’s school nutrition staff are superheroes: each and every day, they put on their capes and fight hunger in cafeterias around the Commonwealth. Our future is stronger because of their passion and dedication.
A few weeks ago, we asked YOU to tell us about the school lunch heroes in your communities, and we heard back from parents, teachers, principals, supervisors, and superintendents. The nominations gave so much joy: they capture stories of program expansion, grace under pressure, taste tests, fun costumes, creative decorations, patience, kindness, courage, and cafeterias that feel like home.
We received nearly 60 nominations, and you can find the full list of nominees below. Please join us in giving your nearest school lunch hero a huge THANK YOU, hug, or high five for their role in ensuring that Virginia’s students have the fuel they need to thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
From all of us at No Kid Hungry Virginia, HAPPY NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY!
- Ahime Hernandez, Patriot High School, Prince William County Public Schools
- Ana Church, Rockbridge School Nutrition Office, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Angel Trujillo, Waynesboro High School, Waynesboro Public Schools
- Angela Knight, Northern Shores Elementary, Suffolk Public Schools
- Anthony Leone, Midlothian High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Asma Khan, Lightridge High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Belle Heth School Nutrition Team, Radford City Public Schools
- Bonnie Johnson, Norfolk Public Schools Central Kitchen, Norfolk Public Schools
- Bonnie Snyder, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Brenda Kerr, Rockbridge County High School, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Carolyn Belle, Park View High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Charles Curcio, Mercer Middle School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Connie Owens, Riverlawn Elementary School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Dawn Hetrick, Natural Bridge Elementary School, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Dawn Pryor, Waynesboro High School, Waynesboro Public Schools
- Delores Rivera, Rolling Ridge Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Elaine East, Pulaski County Middle School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Ethelene W. Sadler, Dublin Elementary School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Genelda Bartling, Woodgrove High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Gwen Campbell, Central Elementary School, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Helen Ramey, Liberty Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Kathleen Van Patten, Mary Calcott Elementary School, Norfolk Public Schools
- Kathy Meade, John Champe High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Katie Smith, Mountain View Elementary School, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Kimberly Secrist, Pulaski Elementary School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Laura Purdy, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Alexandria City Public Schools
- Lorana Jones, Critzer Elementary School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Lucia Gallegos Martinez, Freedom High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Manider Kaur, Lightridge High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Marcia Parker, Franklin High School, Franklin City Public Schools
- Marina Rivera Hernandez, Independence High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Marlene Coffey, Maury River Middle School, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Marta Wisniewska, Mount Vernon Community School, Alexandria City Public Schools
- Mary Margaret Speedy (Margie), Campbell Court Elementary School, Henry County Public Schools
- Matt Crossman, Rockbridge County School Board Office, Rockbridge County Public Schools
- Mavolyn Benns, Norfolk SECEP, Norfolk Public Schools
- Mirna Zalles, Patrick Henry School, Alexandria City Public Schools
- Mirtha Navarrete, George Washington Middle School, Alexandria City Public Schools
- Nancy James, Harmony Middle School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Norman Jones, Tanners Creek Elementary, Norfolk Public Schools
- Olivia Fizer, Snowville Elementary School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Prince Edward County Food Service Department, Prince Edward County Public Schools
- Radford High School School Nutrition Team, Radford City Public Schools
- Renee Jewell, Washington Henry Elementary School, Hanover County Public Schools
- Shadia Mustafa, William Ramsay Elementary School, Alexandria City Public Schools
- Sharon Ewald, Sugarland Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Sheila Barksdale, Clearview Early Learning Center, Martinsville City Public Schools
- Sheila Stodder, Pulaski County High School, Pulaski County Public Schools
- Swee Cheang, Arcola Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Sylvia King, School Nutrition Center, Norfolk Public Schools
- Thanh Howard, Goshen Post Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Tina Cundiff, Franklin County High School, Franklin County Public Schools
- Virgie Jones, Red Oak – Sturgeon Elementary School, Brunswick County Public Schools
- Yanira Lopez, Dominion High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
- Yvonne Harrison, Norfolk Public Schools Nutrition Center, Norfolk Public Schools