daily state news
BRIDGEVILLE – Rommel Ongako, nutrition manager at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School in the Woodbridge School District, has been named the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager of the Year by the National Nonprofit School Nutrition Association.
This award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by cafeteria managers who excel in providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students throughout the school year.
According to a release from the School Nutrition Association, Mr. Ongako always goes above and beyond what is asked of him, providing a safe and healthy environment for his students and making them look forward to being in the cafeteria. He strives to provide students with a dining experience rather than just a meal, and his efforts have consistently increased student meal participation rates.
Dedicated to using high-quality ingredients, Rommel partnered with another child nutrition manager to help establish the district’s first child nutrition center. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown throughout the year and used as fresh ingredients in each school, giving students the opportunity to taste freshly grown produce with their appetizers.
Mr. Rommel asked that the service line be transformed into an “Under the Sea” theme and also offered a naming contest and prizes for students. His student spirit makes sure to decorate the cafeteria for the holidays. He encourages his staff to dress up at events such as National School Lunch and Breakfast Week, and even dresses up as a Marvel character himself for School Lunch Hero Day.
Mr. Rommel was named the district’s Educational Support Specialist of the Year. He is his ServSafe certified instructor and can supervise courses and certify his members of staff at any time, saving the department time and money.
“Staff and administration regularly praise Mr. Rommel for putting the needs of others first and creating a positive cafeteria environment for our students,” said Chris D’Errico, president of the School Nutrition Association. Stated. “His caring personality, coupled with his meticulous attention to detail, makes him a valuable asset to our school and district.”
Rommel was named Mid-Atlantic Region Manager of the Year during an online awards ceremony on April 30 in advance of School Lunch Hero Day on May 3, which honors all of America’s dedicated school nutrition professionals. It was announced that the The achievements of Rommel and all her SNA award winners will also be highlighted in a special digital publication, his SNA’s annual hero his day his social media campaign on Facebook.com/TrayTalk and TrayTalk.org But it will be advertised.
