Newly-hired Cafeteria Manager Arlene Gamboa is excited to make a positive impact on the lives of students through food. 

“I want them to eat more, especially in the morning, when their bodies have nutrients in their system, they can think more,” Gamboa said. “I am hoping that the cafeteria meals will help them be more successful in their classes after eating.” 

After the retirement of the previous food manager, Gamboa has filled in for the vacant position of cafeteria manager. Gamboa hopes to serve more appealing and healthy meals to students in order for them to start eating more in the cafeteria. During her time at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, she’s noticed a sudden increase in students eating the food served in the cafeteria.

“For this year, I look forward to 100% participation from the kids to eat in the cafeteria. Since I started working, we’ve had more kids coming to eat school lunches,” Gamboa said. “Every day there’s progress and it makes me excited for what’s to come.” 

Gamboa didn’t start off working in the cafeteria. In 2014, she emigrated from the Philippines where she worked as a government entity who helped give visas and citizenship to those immigrating to the Philippines.  

Gamboa previously worked at Porter Middle School for a year as an incoming sub cafeteria worker. The next year, she was transferred and promoted to senior cafeteria worker at San Fernando High School. More recently, she was promoted to Cafeteria Manager and worked at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter for over five years. She was heavily inspired by her mother, who also worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District as a food service senior worker. 

 “She just told me that since you’re new to the country, you can try working in the cafeteria and I took a shot at it,” Gamboa said. 

Working in a high school provides Gamboa with an environment that she isn’t used to. Her job also provides an outlet for her to learn what teenagers’ interests are to better connect with her daughter, who is also in high school.  

“Since I came from working at elementary and middle schools, I’m excited to make new friends and for a new environment change,” Gamboa said. “I wanted to meet with new students like teenagers, because I have a daughter who’s in high school too, so that I would know the likes and dislikes of students.”