On Friday, May 1, MCPS teamed up with schools nationwide to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day. The day provided a great opportunity to give a shout-out to the essential team members who keep our district running by serving healthy, fresh meals to nearly 160,000 students every single day.
To mark the occasion, the Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) hosted its annual School Nutrition Employee Recognition Breakfast at the DFNS offices at Turkey Thicket. The event honored 11 employees who represent the diverse roles – from school-based cafeteria managers to automotive technicians – that keep the district’s nutrition programs running seamlessly.
“Our food services team members are the heartbeat of our schools,” said Nicholas Geer, Wellness Supervisor at DFNS. “During School Lunch Hero Week and beyond, we celebrate the incredible impact they make every day. Whether they are preparing fresh meals, managing complex logistics at our Central Processing Facility, or ensuring our delivery fleet is safe on the road, these heroes are essential partners in our mission to support the whole child.”
2026 School Lunch Hero Honorees
MCPS is proud to recognize these 11 individuals for their dedication to serving our students:
- Chouchan (Susan) Aghguiguian, Cafeteria Worker I, Takoma Park Middle School
- Ginfeng Day, Cafeteria Worker I, Northwood High School
- Josue Diaz, Automotive Technician II, Food Services Warehouse
- Noris Gallo, Food Services Satellite Manager III, Galway Elementary School
- Elizabeth Lenis Gonzalez, Assistant Family Child Care Manager, DFNS Central Office
- Rosa Guzman, Cafeteria Worker I, Whetstone Elementary School
- Shaoli Liu, Food Services Satellite Manager III, Brown Station Elementary School
- Karie Luk, Food Services Field Manager, DFNS
- Carlos Stein, Central Processing Facility (CPF) Manager V, CPF
- Kai H. Sun, Food Services Field Manager, DFNS
- Qiaoyan (Helen) Yang, Cafeteria Permanent Substitute, DFNS
The breakfast included celebratory remarks and representation from school leadership. Each honoree received a formal citation celebrating their contributions to the district’s “School Lunch Hero” legacy.
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Fun Fact: School Lunch Hero Day was inspired by the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and is championed by the School Nutrition Association. The day highlights the critical balance of nutrition, safety, and kindness that food service professionals bring to the cafeteria.
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