When you head into the cafeteria each day, you may not always stop to wonder about the people behind the counter. Yet, these individuals play an essential role in the daily rhythm of our school as they offer lunch with a side of smiles, laughter, and their stories. Let’s take a moment to get to know some of Walsh Jesuit’s lunchtime legends.
“In my free time, I love to take my turtle named Gerald, she/her, on walks,” said Mark. “When we first got her, we thought that she was a he, hence the name Gerald,” Mark shared with a grinning laugh.
Mark brings a unique personality to the team, standing out as one of the only male workers among a majority of females. “I love the atmosphere and would not change anything about it,” he shared when asked about his work environment.
Mark has been with A Taste of Excellence at Walsh for four years, and his confident sense of humor shines through in everything he does. When he’s not shopping for clothes or playing Mortal Kombat, you can catch him enjoying his favorite colors, black, grey, and gold.
“I absolutely just love having conversations with the students. It is such a blessing because they keep me young at heart,” Meg proclaimed joyfully.
Meg has developed a deep passion for engaging with students in her seven years at Walsh. She believes that student interactions are one of her day’s highlights. Meg has an incredible work ethic. A little-known fact is that she delivers upwards of fifty-one packages for Amazon every morning before heading to Walsh. Her day starts at 4 a.m. and continues until 8 a.m. when she heads to Walsh for another five hours of work. In addition to her work at Walsh, Meg is an extreme couponer. She purchases toys at bargain prices and donates them to charity around Christmas time for children in need, showing just how far her generosity goes.
Chasity also finds joy in the relationships she builds with the students. When asked about her favorite meal to serve, she quickly responded, “Pasta Day…, I love the kids that go through the line, as it makes the students very happy, and I love that.”
Chasity, who has been working at Walsh for three years, enjoys spending her free time kayaking with her kids and soaking up the sun when the weather permits. Not many know that she was an excellent swimmer in her youth, regularly competing in the Cuyahoga Falls area, where she consistently outswam the competition. Chasity’s passion for helping others and her positive attitude have made her a beloved member of the cafeteria team.
Tiff, who has worked at Walsh Jesuit for eight years, finds fulfillment in managing a team that works together so well. “I am really lucky that I have a team of individuals that can work together, keep it professional, and have fun,” Tiff shared.
Tiff’s leadership and energy are evident in her work, but she also has a surprising side. “I was an amazing singer throughout high school and had the opportunity to join an independent record label,” she revealed. However, her parents encouraged her to focus on school and work instead, leaving her musical dreams behind. In her spare time, Tiff enjoys her dance parties in the kitchen and making the most of the quiet moments in her day.
As we wrapped up our conversations with these hardworking individuals, we asked for their final thoughts on their jobs and the students they interact with every day. Mark expressed his appreciation for the personalities of the students, saying, “You guys all have different funny personalities, and I love it when you guys say off-the-wall things.”
Chasity shared a more emotional perspective, saying, “My favorite thing about working here is seeing you guys go from your freshman year to your senior year and watching how you all grow up.”
Tiff summarized her thoughts with warmth and gratitude: “Walsh is such a great place to work because I get to see the Jesuit spirit in life.”
At the end of the day, our excellent cafeteria workers do far more than serve meals because they’re also shaping our daily experiences at school. Whether it’s through a warm conversation, a smile, or a shared joke, they help make our school feel like home.
