Yabidia Guerra was worried that she was in trouble when Principal Jose Santos and Instructional Specialist Roberto Leyva told her they needed to speak with her in the cafeteria on Friday, May 6.  But, when she walked in, the food service attendant at Middle College High School at Felix Fraga was received by a room full of her cheering colleagues as she was presented with the May 2022 Customer Service Impact Award.

“It’s so important to have nutrition in schools, especially breakfast,” said Santos. “Mr. Leyva and Ms. Guerra work together very well to encourage [students] to eat breakfast and make sure that when they get to class, they’re energized and ready to study.”

Guerra is responsible for feeding more than 100 students daily. According to her colleagues, she treats all of the MCHS students as though they are her own children.

“I have watched her build relationships with our students with the intention of promoting healthy eating habits, said Leyva. “She makes sure that they have their basic needs in the morning, their lunch in the afternoon, and she understands the importance of a healthy meal. With her smile and her personality, the kids always feel welcome. She does her job with professionalism and with joy.”

Guerra was gifted a bouquet of flowers, balloons, cookies, and a giant card with congratulations from her colleagues. She was also presented with a star-shaped, engraved award and a Whataburger gift basket, which included free Whataburger for a year.

“I was very surprised and very happy,” Guerra said. “I love my job, and I love being with the students. I am extremely excited and thankful.”

Guerra’s nomination appropriately coincided with School Lunch Hero Day, a day designated to celebrate and appreciate school nutrition staff for the hard work they do to keep students fueled for learning. “Her work ethic and dedication at this campus is a shining example of what we look for in our employees,” said Keith Lewis, Senior Area Manager of Operations for HISD’s Nutrition Services Department. “Ms. Guerra exemplifies what a School Lunch Hero is. Today is all about our school lunch heroes as we celebrate our cafeteria men and women across the nation, and it’s such a fitting day for us to recognize our wonderful team member.”