Brooke Crymes-Jones

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-Professional Development 2026 

Years in School Nutrition: 16 years

Students Served: 300

Scholarship Award: Schwan’s Food Service Scholarship

“At the end of the day, what makes this career so fulfilling is the opportunity to serve others. Seeing students enjoy their meals and knowing that our work helps them stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn is the greatest reward. It’s more than managing school cafeterias it’s making a positive impact on the lives of children and the communities we serve.”

Why School Nutrition?

What I enjoy most about being a School Nutrition Area Manager is knowing that the work I do makes a real difference in the lives of students. Every day is an opportunity to help ensure children have access to healthy, balanced meals that give them the energy they need to learn, grow, and succeed. For many students, school meals are an essential part of their day, and it’s rewarding to know that our team plays such an important role in supporting their well-being.  I also value the opportunity to work with dedicated cafeteria managers and staff across multiple schools. Watching them grow professionally, helping them overcome challenges, and celebrating their successes is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Building strong relationships with school leaders and nutrition teams creates a positive environment where everyone works toward the same goal—providing the best possible service to students.  No two days are exactly alike, which keeps the work interesting and meaningful. Whether I’m solving operational challenges, ensuring food safety and compliance, or finding ways to improve meal quality and customer service, I enjoy knowing that every decision contributes to a better experience for students and staff.

Investing in My Future

Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial assistance it would be an investment in my future. As a School Nutrition Area Manager, I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of students by ensuring they have access to healthy, nutritious meals every day. Continuing my education will help me become a stronger leader, improve my decision-making skills, and better support the schools and teams I serve.

Like many working professionals, I balance a full-time career with my education and personal responsibilities. This scholarship would ease some of the financial pressure, allowing me to focus more on learning and applying what I gain to my work. It would also give me the confidence to continue pursuing opportunities for growth and leadership.

My hope for the future is to continue advancing in my career while making a lasting impact on school nutrition programs. I want to help build stronger teams, improve the quality of service we provide, and ensure every student has access to meals that support their health and academic success. I also hope to encourage others to invest in their own education and professional development.

For me, earning my degree is about more than career advancement it’s about becoming the best leader I can be and using that knowledge to positively impact the students, families, and communities I serve.

School/University: University of Phoenix

Program of Study: Master’s in Business Administration

Graduation Date: 2026