Hesperia school district's nutrition supervisor wins award for keeping students fed in pandemic

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
Nutrition Supervisor II Manager LaShawn Bray of the Hesperia Unified School District has been named the West regional Manager of the Year by the School Nutrition Association. Last year, she took home the California School Nutrition Association's Manager of the Year Award.
Nutrition Supervisor II Manager LaShawn Bray of the Hesperia Unified School District has been named the West regional Manager of the Year by the School Nutrition Association. Last year, she took home the California School Nutrition Association's Manager of the Year Award.

Nutrition Supervisor II Manager LaShawn Bray of the Hesperia Unified School District has been named the West Regional Manager of the Year by the School Nutrition Association.

Bray's award was announced Monday during a School Lunch Hero Day online awards ceremony, according to the SNA.

The Virginia-based nonprofit SNA said the award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion SNA members who have excelled in keeping students fed during the pandemic.

“LaShawn Bray is an amazing leader in our district and an amazing person,” HUSD Superintendent David Olney told the Daily Press. “She understands leadership by example, not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do whatever is needed to support her team and get the job done.”

Bray’s extensive knowledge comes from studying nutrition at San Jose State University. She also studied business administration at Victor Valley College.

She is the former Operations Manager of Nutrition Services at Upland Unified School District. She also worked in Nutrition Services at Victor Elementary School District in Victorville.

Creative and welcoming

SNA officials said Bray is known for her positive attitude, strong listening skills and being a great team player. Also, she is known for working closely with staff members and district principals to create a welcoming environment for students.

“Recognizing the importance of excellent customer service, she has implemented ideas to improve staff communications, creating an open team environment which encourages everyone to have input,” SNA officials said. “Her student customers can feel the love when they walk into the cafeteria and are greeted by cheery and happy staff.”

When bringing new items to the school lunch menu, Bray engages her “young customers for guidance.” She enjoys doing taste tests with the students to find the right food fit for each grade level.

Bray is known for unleashing her creativity by coming up with themed dress-up days for staff and preparing food for students in conjunction with the theme.

Bray believes in seeking staff input for training sessions, and she works directly with them to improve their various kitchen skills.

She makes sure everyone has a complete understanding of the importance of mandates and regulations in school nutrition.

Involvement and accomplishments

Under her leadership, the HUSD won the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Turnip the Beet” award for excellence in its summer meal program.

Last year, Bray took home the California School Nutrition Association's Manager of the Year Award.

Bray is also active outside her school community, volunteering for several local non-profit organizations.

“LaShawn Bray is dedicated to the children she feeds and the community where she lives,” said SNA President Beth Wallace.” She has created an environment to promote teamwork in the school nutrition department and is deserving of this award.”

Bray is an active member of the California School Nutrition Association and has presented at CalSNA conferences on getting involved in CalSNA/SNA.

She has held training webinars on the SNA certification process and educated school districts to recognize the importance of SNA certification in their hiring practices.

Bray has attended several SNA Annual National Conferences and National Leadership Conferences.

The accomplishments of Bray and other SNA award winners will be recognized in a special publication and promoted in SNA's annual SLHD social media campaign on Facebook.com/TrayTalk and TrayTalk.org.

The SNA represents 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students.

For more information, visit SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia school district nutrition supervisor wins award