Becky Zamora

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-Professional Development 2026 

Years in School Nutrition: 5 years

Students Served:1,800

Scholarship Award: SNA Professional Development Scholarship & Schwan’s Food Service

“What I love most about working in school nutrition is knowing that the work we do makes a difference for students and families in my community every day. A school meal may seem like a small part of a student’s day, but having access to nutritious meals can make a big difference in their ability to learn, participate, and feel supported at school. I also love working with and supporting other school nutrition professionals who care so much about the students we serve. Knowing that what we do matters both inside and outside of the cafeteria is a big part of #WhyIShowUp every day.”

Why School Nutrition?
School nutrition came into my life when my son’s school district put out a call for help, and it led me in a direction I never anticipated. After seeing firsthand the impact school meals can have on students and families, I decided to return to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health with a concentration in Nutrition. I applied for this scholarship because I want to continue learning and growing in a field that has come to mean so much to me. School nutrition helped inspire me to go back to school, and this scholarship is helping me continue that journey.

Investing in My Future

This scholarship will help me continue working toward my Public Health degree while working full-time in school nutrition. My education has helped me see even more clearly how school meals connect to larger public health issues, including food access, health equity, and prevention. My hope is to combine my education with my experience in school nutrition to continue advocating for programs and policies that support students and families. I don’t know exactly where this path will take me yet, but I know I want to keep learning, growing, and finding ways to make an impact.

School/University: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Program of Study: Bachelor’s Degree, Major-Public Health, Minor-Nutrition

Graduation Date: 2027