The State High lunch staff not only provides students with amazing food, but also friendly greetings in the morning and at lunch. Last year, a feature article was written about Nina, a member of the lunch staff. Now, it is time to learn about two more of the school’s exceptional food workers.

Karen Patzer

Patzer works in the pizza and pasta section of the lunch line. She is very happy and kind. She loves being around students, and highly values her family.

 “I enjoy my life and I like having fun with people, and I like people. I have three grown sons and two grandkids and my mom is still around at 95. So, I kind of take care of all of that,” Patzer said.

Patzer joined the State High lunch staff three years ago. After retiring, she wanted a part-time job that was slightly physical, but not too many hours. Being a lunch worker was a perfect fit. She had quite a bit of experience with baking. She worked at the Penn State bakery and ran a bed and breakfast for 13 years. 

Patzer’s favorite aspects of her job are making all the friends she didn’t expect to make, working at the snack bar last year, and interacting with students. What motivates her every day is to “Get the pizzas out on time.”  

Tammy Knepp

Knepp has worked at State High for three years and works in food prep. Her main duties are to be a cashier in the morning and to prepare and serve the fresh fruit. She is a very outgoing, family- loving person and has a 13-year-old son. Every day, she loves seeing the faces of State High students. Therefore, she says that is her favorite part of her job. 

“Their reaction to us can really brighten our days as well as us brightening theirs,” Knepp said.  

Knepp has had amazing experiences while working at State High, including great interactions with students. She even received a letter from one student.

“Getting a letter from one of the students telling me how my smile made their day and made them want to come into the cafeteria.”

However, she stated that one of the struggles with working in food service at our school is the short staffing, particularly during the pandemic. Being short-staffed can mean even more work and responsibility for those already working hard.  Even with 29 food workers, serving food for over 2,000 students can be quite stressful. 

Knepp’s favorite food served at State High is the buffalo chicken dip and chips. She is very happy to serve food in the lunchroom, and says that she is 100 percent sure that it was a great idea to join the lunch staff. She has made many friends here and thoroughly enjoys her work here at State High.

The lunch staff work tirelessly to bring students the most astonishing food every day of the week, but not only that, they bring students smiles to try to brighten their days.