Catalina Esquival

By Brittany Snow
Staff Writer

Throughout her four years at Gabrielino High School, Nutrition Server Catalina Esquival has learned to endure the pressure food service assistants may face in the presence of high school students.
While collaborating with her four co-workers, Esquival interacts with the student lunch workers whom she has come to not only teach, but learn from during the forty minute period.
Esquival shared, “I love to work, but getting the food ready and helping the kids is what I love most.”

Iemie Tjong

By Ivy Kwok
Staff Writer

“The first time I came here,” Nutrition Server Iemie Tjong noted thoughtfully, “ I met a lot of students [who] worked with us. They trained me, actually, and we worked side-by-side.”
Tjong is a food service assistant at Gabrielino High School and has been at the school for four years. Everyday, she is responsible for preparing food for all the students and setting up the area where they receive their lunch.
Tjong greatly values her connection with students.
“I think of them as my kids, really. It can be [challenging] but fun at the same time.”

Maria Acosta

By Cassidy Lee
Copy Editor

Breakfast Manager Maria Acosta has been employed at the San Gabriel School District for almost 16 years. With six years of working at Gabrielino High School under her belt, Acosta enjoys every aspect of her job, from being able to work alongside her co-workers to getting to connect with the students.
“I love interacting with the students every day,” exclaimed Acosta.
Although she generally works during the breakfast time, Acosta has often taken change during lunch, allowing her to interact with the student lunch workers at The Beak.
“They’re definitely fun to work with,” revealed Acosta. “I think it’s a great experience for them.”

Cindy Herrera

By Brittany Snow
Staff Writer

From counting ketchup packets to working the point of sale system, Kitchen Manager Cindy Herrera does it all.
In her six years of working at Gabrielino, Herrera has helped serve thousands of students, and makes sure others working alongside her enjoy the tasks at hand. She and her colleagues, including fourteen student workers, strive to satisfy the students’ needs, whether it be in pizza or yogurt.
Herrera said, “We have to count everything, make sure the temperatures are correct, but also that everything is cooked properly to make sure the [students] stay healthy.”

Yvonne Tran

By Cassidy Lee
Copy Editor

“I love working with the kids,” exclaimed Nutrition Server Yvonne Tran.
Tran has been working in the Gabrielino High School cafeteria for four months. Although she is relatively new at her job, Tran has been able to learn from her co-workers and form bonds with them.
Working at Gabrielino has allowed Tran to build new connections with people, including the student workers.
“From this job, I get to know a lot of people and I enjoy interacting with the students,” Tran smiled.