The non-profit Georgia School Nutrition Association (GSNA) has awarded Celeste Williams, manager of Satilla Elementary School, the Manager of the Year Award. The award, considered the highest honor a school nutrition manager can earn, recognizes a cafeteria manager in the state who has demonstrated dedication and ingenuity to improve his or her school meal program.
Celeste Williams’ passion and leadership have benefitted the students and staff at Satilla Elementary School. In the past two years, Williams’ focus has been on the food—she implemented a new system of scratch-cooking to provide healthier menu items. To make the cafeteria fun, she encourages staff to dress up for holidays and invites special guests to serve lunch, including local fire fighters and the city mayor. Williams works with school faculty members and decorates the school walls to highlight monthly cafeteria promotions.
For the past two years, she and her staff have donated food for the Weekend Back Snack Pack program to help children in need. A team leader, Williams serves as a mentor to her staff members. She has increased efficiency by introducing a new scheduling system and ensuring her staff is well trained. An active GSNA member, Williams serves as president of her local chapter and attends many school nutrition conferences.
“Cafeteria managers positively impact the lives of their students, providing a foundation for a healthy lifestyle through access to healthy, well-balanced meals,” said Vanessa Hayes, President of the Georgia School Nutrition Association. “Celeste’s successes demonstrate her incredible dedication and commitment to student wellness.”
The Manager of the Year Award is in honor of Louise Sublette, a leader in school nutrition in her state and in the national School Nutrition Association. During her 43 years in the profession, Sublette worked in many areas of foodservice—public schools, colleges, hospitals and elderly feeding programs. Sublette dedicated her career to honoring school nutrition professionals and ensuring those who work in school cafeterias have access to professional development opportunities, empowering them to help their school meal programs flourish.
Earlier this month, Williams was honored during the Awards Ceremony at the 61st Annual Conference of the Georgia School Nutrition Association in Savannah.
– Submitted