The lunch bell rings and students rush out of their classrooms, eager to see their friends and get some food. They hurry to the commons, hoping to get in line for lunch before their peers. When they get inside and start selecting a meal, they are greeted by friendly smiles and the happy faces of the cafeteria workers. One in particular, Jess Wyman, is always a ray of sunshine in students’ days.

Wyman is always kind, remembering people’s favorite bubblr’ flavor, or the cookie they get every day, complimenting each student as they make their transaction. With just a short interaction with each student each day, only surface level connections are made, and most students know nothing about Wyman.

She has worked at Southeast for eight years, preparing and serving food to over 900 students every day. Wyman gets to the school at 8, and then it’s a constant rush until 1:45. She prepares the fruits and veggies, puts together salads and fills fruit containers. Furthermore, all the cafeteria workers have to record everything, as well as fill out temperature and cleaning logs. This is to make sure everything is consistent with the Health Department’s standards and rules.

Over the years, the students have become her favorite part of the job, in addition to her coworkers. Wyman has three kids — aged 20, 17 and 13. This adds to her love of seeing students every day, especially because of the similar ages.

“It’s like you’re my kids too,” Wyman said. “I love it when I’m talking to them and they answer me and actually tell me how they’re doing.”

Lots of students don’t respond when cafeteria workers and other staff say good morning, or ask how they’re doing, but Wyman understands.

“Some people just don’t want to talk, some people have bad days and it happens, it’s fine,” Wyman said.

Student’s have recognized her kindness as well. Frances Hoien (10) enjoys seeing Wyman everyday.

“She’s really nice to me and to everybody she comes in contact with,” Hoien said. LSE students appreciate Wyman’s small talk and compliments, and it adds joy to everyone’s day.

Outside of school, Wyman has numerous hobbies. She loves to read, especially nonfiction and dystopian novels. Her current read is “The Memory Police” by Yōko Ogawa. Her love for reading helps her stay away from her phone, and prevents her from “doom scrolling” all day long. Wyman also enjoys listening to music. She loves heavy metal, but likes listening to popular artists as well, like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan.

At LSE, Wyman has learned many valuable lessons with the most important one being teamwork. She has realized that when everyone works together, a lot more can be done.

“Friendships are everything. People are everything,” Wyman said. She wants students to realize that it is beneficial to “just be cool” and avoid the drama. After all, that is how the LSE cafeteria staff get along so well.

“Don’t sweat the small stuff,” Wyman advises. “Do what you like, do what you love.” She reminds students that “this time goes by so fast, and no one’s going to remember in 10 years,” so it is important for everyone to be themselves. To sum it up, “do what you love, be a good person and wear sunscreen.”

Throughout all her years at Southeast, Wyman only has one complaint. “It’s hot. That’s the only thing, honestly.” All of the amazing things about her job completely outweigh the one negative. She has learned so many valuable lessons and made countless connections with students and staff. Everyday, Wyman spreads positivity to LSE students and staff, hoping to make everyone’s day just a little bit brighter.