As a student, have you ever wondered who’s responsible for certain things, such as lunch?

Because feeding everyone at South is an enormous task, Joey Russel stepped up to the plate when she took the opportunity to serve as lunch director this year after spending the last 10 years at Bryan High School. Russel said she wanted to “spread her wings” as one reason she chose to make the switch.

In her free time, Russel said she works a second job waiting tables, and during her free time she enjoys binge watching her favorite shows and taking naps. Russel attended Bryan High School and married right out of high school which, she said, is a “bad idea; just take your time.” Russel also said that she’s “someone who laughs at things very easily.”

Russel said that while she does face challenges in her position, they are few.

“Not too many problems per se; staffing shortages mainly. Making sure we have enough hands to feed everyone is usually one of the biggest problems.”

But while every job has its struggles, there are also advantages.

“The staff I work with every day is amazing. I absolutely adore the 12 women here,” she said. Adding to her love for staff, Russel said she is very big on making South’s kitchen a secure environment for everyone she works with.

Russel said observing the work environment created by her staff, seeing them getting “better at their job every day, being an efficient leader and making people excited to come to work is what’s most rewarding to me.”

So next time you’re in the lunchroom, drop by and say ‘hi’ to Russel because she plays an important role behind the scenes.