“It takes a lot of teamwork. If anyone’s running behind we pitch in and help. We all help each other,” explains Chasity Aderholz. Just like many teams, the kitchen staff follow a fearless leader. Kitchen manager, Tricia Newcomb, does everything from make menus, to take care of maintenance issues, to answer parent or principal questions, to order food. She works tirelessly from breakfast through afternoon snack, but still enjoys the work.

“We have our own little family back here,” Newcomb explains. It seems apparent that the staff is overflowng with affection and appreciation for each other, but how do they feel about the people on the receiving end of their meals? Overall, the students of HHS get good marks that may surprise anyone who has ever been in a high school cafeteria.

“They can be mouthy, but I think that’s just a part of the age. On the whole they are very considerate. I like kids,” says Green. Smith agrees that students can be rude, but she’s not afraid to mention it to them, or let it go when that seems best.

“Usually they’re really friendly,” insists Aderholz, who has never really experienced a student being rude to her i her four years working in the kitchen. However, there is always room for improvement.  Some students may not realize that the staff can not prepare any food they want to.

“I wold like for [the students] to know that we are regulated on what we can serve. Don’t be too judgemental about the taste,” requests Green.

Feeding droves of hungry high schoolers two meals a day, five days a week is not a job for the fainthearted. Luckily, the lunch ladies of Harrisonburg High School seem to enjoy each other’s company, their jobs, and the children they serve. As Newcomb says,

“There’s not much I don’t like. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here, because it’s crazy.”