New school lunch possibilities at Central Elementary School will be available starting next week thanks to one very motivated and tenacious student.
Fifth grader, Trinity Beth, saw the need for students to have a way to eat something for lunch brought from home other than cold cut sandwiches. Tired of of eating cold left overs or the same sandwiches every day, Beth decided to try to make a change. A microwave in the cafeteria seemed like the perfect solution.
Principal Melissa Smothers says when Trinity approached her with the idea she asked her to write an essay explaining why the microwave was needed and addressing the potential issues along with solutions. “I think our fourth and fifth graders are mature enough to handle it.” Smothers says.
After writing the essay and turning it in to Mrs. Smothers, the next obstacle was how to get the microwave. Trinity did exactly what so many other children would have done… she called her grandmother, Meta Lineberry, who gladly purchased the microwave and brought it to the school.
Trinity says she will be responsible for cleaning the microwave each Friday so that students don’t have to use their lunch time cleaning after each use unless there is a major mess.
Rules have been established for use of the microwave:
- you can only use the microwave for lunch brought from home, a teacher will approve food before it is microwaved
- items cooked in the microwave cannot take a long time to cook
- food must always be covered with a paper towel
- students must clean up any mess made in the microwave
- may only be used by 4th and 5th grade students
In order to educate the students and staff about the procedures for using the microwave, Trinity secured the help of the media department at MCHS to make a YouTube video of her explaining all of the information. The video was then shared with teachers who showed it to the students.
Principal Smothers says that Monday and Tuesday will be the trial run for use of the microwave during lunch.
When asked what advice Trinity would give to people who don’t think kids can make a difference and work for change when they see a need she stated very simply and matter of factly, “they’re wrong!”