With a signature smile on her face, Lucia Ramirez was awarded with the School Nutrition Employee of the Year award at Permian High School Friday.
Ramirez was surprised with a placard, an award and a check from the Education Foundation to mark the occasion. Officials from PHS and across the district, including Superintendent Scott Muri, gathered around her.
The district did the same at campuses around the district Friday and awarded others May 6 at another group of schools.
Former Director of School Nutrition and now Executive Director of Operations Brandon Reyes said Ramirez is very deserving of the recognition.
“She puts out a ton of effort in every day and her smile is contagious. She remains positive even amidst all the craziness,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said she has been at Permian for 11 years.
“This has made me so happy. I love my job and I try to do the best … every day,” she added.
Ramirez said she likes to work in the schools because she tries to help students and every day is different.
“Every day I try to do the best, the best, the best for students,” Ramirez said.
A mother of three, she added that she tries to treat students like one of her own children.
“I love to cook,” she said.
She added that she tastes everything to make sure it’s OK. The students seem to like pizza and chicken nuggets best.
Jieun Pando, director of School Nutrition Services, said she thinks it’s great that Ramirez received the laurel.
“She’s a reliable employee that you can always count on … to come to work every day,” Pando said. “She prepares over 1,000 meals a day, which is not an easy job, but she does it with a smile on her face and such a positive attitude.”
Pando added that Ramirez’ attitude is infectious and prompts others to push up their production.
Nancy Cook, a school nutrition supervisor and formerly PHS school nutrition manager, nominated Ramirez for the award and Pando chose her out of four nominees.
“She’s amazing. Totally amazing,” Cook said.
Janet Bell, also a supervisor, was also at PHS. She said Ramirez has undergone immense hardships this year, but still came to work with a smile on her face.
“She laughs at everything. She’s a happy person, even through all of it,” Cook said.
In addition to her work at PHS, she also dances in a Ballet Folklorico group called Viva Mexico.
Employees of the Year (May 13)
>> Paraprofessional of the Year: Maria Melendez.
>> Custodian of the Year at Austin Elementary: Yvette Arroyo.
>> Police Employee of the Year: Larissa Hernandez.
>> Counselor of the Year: Christy McGuire.
>> Professional Employee of the Year at Bonham Middle School: Juan Dominguez.
>> School Nutrition Employee of the Year at Permian High School: Lucia Ramirez.
>> Nursing Service Employee of the Year at Odessa High School: Marissa Molina.
>> Transportation Employee of the Year: Belinda Galindo.
>> Maintenance Employee of the Year: Jason Martin.
