YES Prep Public Schools Nutrition Employee Wins Southwest Region Recognition

The national, non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) has named Georgia Georgacopulos Lopez, Child Nutrition Operations Specialist for YES Prep Public Schools, Texas, the Southwest region Employee of the Year. The award recognizes the valuable contribution of school nutrition employees who exhibit a remarkable commitment to both their school meal program and the students they serve.

Georgia Georgacopulos Lopez consistently delivers exceptional customer service to students by creating a welcoming cafeteria environment where everyone feels seen and valued. Through her innovative problem-solving and strategic promotional efforts, she helped increase student breakfast participation, successfully rebuilding enthusiasm and strengthening student buy-in while staying within budget and operational constraints.

She greets each student by name and has a kind manner, always responsive to students’ concerns and preferences. Lopez accommodates special dietary needs with care and discretion and takes the time to explain alternative menu options in an encouraging way. She introduced themed menu days and uses colorful signage, fun meal names and attractive plating to make nutritious options more appealing to students.

Fostering connections between her department and the school community is important to Lopez. She actively holds food tastings and disperses educational materials, offering personal assistance to help families when needed. Her approachable manner builds confidence in the program as does her prompt and professional responses to parent inquiries.

“Georgia is an exemplary team member, going above and beyond and happily stepping into multiple roles to meet the needs of students and colleagues,” said Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS, School Nutrition Association President. “She leads through her actions, arriving early and staying late, and sets an example of kindness, dedication and commitment to her students and the school.”

Through ongoing professional development, Lopez has helped the team produce higher-quality meals and a more innovative nutrition program. Lopez stays up to date on nutrition regulations, menu planning best practices and student engagement strategies by regularly attending state and national SNA conferences. She implemented new workflows and coaching techniques, improved scratch-cooking techniques and enhanced menu variety after participating in SNA workshops on leadership, operations and customer service.

The Employee of the Year Award was created to recognize outstanding school nutrition employees who influence the quality of school meals through customer service, an interest in young people, cooperation, work attendance, creativity, participation in professional development and their willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Lopez was announced as the Southwest region Employee of the Year on April 28 in advance of School Lunch Hero Day, celebrated on May 1, 2026, to honor all of America’s dedicated school nutrition professionals. The accomplishments of Lopez and all SNA regional award winners will be profiled on Facebook.com/TrayTalk and TrayTalk.org around School Lunch Hero Day. SNA award winners will also be highlighted in SN Magazine, on schoolnutrition.org and related social media platforms and at SNA’s Annual National Conference in Charlotte, NC, in July.

About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.