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Ofelia Martinez, a Snyder High School cafeteria employee, cut melon at Snyder Junior High School to serve with lunch. -
Hermleigh teacher Daysha Cheyne, (left) and cafeteria employee Ashley Benitez helped pre-kindergarten students Ava Carillo and Merrick Shipley make their breakfast choices. -
Ira ISD cafeteria manager Brittney Lomax, (left) discussed the diabetic menu items with school nurse Haley Cumbie.
School cafeterias in Snyder, Hermleigh and Ira are up and running, including the new Snyder Junior High School cafeteria.
Shirley Davis has worked in Snyder ISD cafeterias since 1997 and has served as the cafeteria manager for the junior high school since 2003.
She said the new cafeteria allows a broader menu for the 622 students and faculty and staff members.
“I like to see their faces when they come through,” Davis said. “I have one little boy that comes in and says ‘Wow, look what I get to eat.’ Every day he has a smile on his face. You don’t know if that’s their only meal that day.”
Davis said the school offers a free breakfast, which includes a choice of a smoothie, cereal or one of two hot items.
She also said that unlike at the old junior high school, students can choose from three lunch lines.
She said students are trying different items but their favorites are hamburgers and pizza.
Davis’ staff includes Geneva Torres, Pat Powers, Gina Miller and Pricilla Carrasco.
They also run the school’s concession stand during junior high school football games, as well as volleyball and basketball games.
She said the other three school cafeterias take turns running the concession stand during high school games.
Davis and the other Snyder ISD cafeteria workers are employed by Aramark.
Hermleigh ISD cafeteria director Amy Benitez has worked in the school cafeteria since 2002.
She said she began managing the cafeteria in 2007 and became cafeteria director last year.
“I think a lot of the kids,” Benitez said. “You watch them come in since pre-k and feed all of them all the way to graduation and you watch them grow up. We are their favorite people because we feed them. They’re always happy to see us.”
She said she likes working at the school because she gets to see her own children.
“There is never a time I don’t have access to my kids,” Benitez said.
The other cafeteria employees at Hermleigh are Belinda Lara, Lafonda Alaniz, Ashley Benitez and Cynthia Arrellano.
They serve about 222 students, plus faculty and staff.
Britney Lomax is in her first year as cafeteria manager at Ira ISD. She began working in the cafeteria in 2009.
“There is a lot of paperwork I’m having to get used to,” Lomax said. “I have a pretty good crew. They have made the transition really easy for me.”
Lomax said one of the best parts of her job is seeing the people she and her staff feed.
“I enjoy it. I enjoy seeing all the kids everyday and the people, the staff at the school are amazing and friendly. It’s a great school to work for,” she said.
She along with Nancy Lomax, Tara White and Karen Gruben serve meals to 200 students, plus the faculty and staff.