New Cooks in the School Kitchen
Launch the media gallery 1 playerCooking Up Some Changes: Dustie Blunck
By Eleanor Bauermeister
When thinking of school, many students focus on teachers, not on the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. While getting lunch, students notice a new face: Dustie Blunck, the new high school cook.
Students might now notice when walking into the commons that there is a whiteboard telling everyone what is for breakfast and lunch that day. When asked why she decided to have a whiteboard, Blunck said that they have one at the elementary school, and she thought that it was a good idea to try at the high school so that students do not have to read the small-print lunch calendar.
“There’s not going to be very many changes, just how things are set up and trying different things to see what the students like best,” Blunck says.
Speaking of students, that is Blunck's favorite part of the job: getting to see students every day, especially the little kids. As with many jobs, it is not all sunshine and rainbows.
“My biggest pet peeve is when kids take food off of the salad bar before lunch without paying for it,” Blunck says.
One measure that she is taking to prevent this from happening is not putting the salad bar food out as early and putting lids on the food. This has worked well so far.
Blunck also said that she is open to suggestions from other people to make the lunch program better. So make sure to say hello to the new face in the lunchroom.
Dressing Up School Lunches, New Lunch Lady, Rita Engelhaupt
By Lydia Cone
Pierce Public has added a new cook to the staff, Rita Engelhaupt. She grew up in Dodge, and graduated from Dodge High School. After high school, Engelhaupt went to cosmetology school and was a cosmetologist for 49 years before retiring last year. She applied to be a part-time cook at the elementary, high school, and Zion.
“What I love is the kids. They are so polite,” Engelhaupt says. “Everything is all yes, please and no, thank you.”
Engelhaupt raised her family of two kids in Pierce, and both her kids graduated from Pierce High School. She has lived here for 50 years, and this is the first cooking position she has held. So please be sure to welcome her to the lunchroom!
A New Cook Comes to Pierce Elementary
by Brynley Koch
Susan Koehler, former Culvers employee, comes to Pierce elementary school and is now working as a cook.
Koehler is the mother of two children and also has three grandchildren who all graduated from Pierce. She is married and her husband's name is Larry, both of them are originally from Pierce.
She stated that she loved meeting the little kids at the elementary school and getting to know them.
When asked what her hobbies and interests are, Koehler replied, “I enjoy collecting penguins and making beaded dolls.”
Koehler also said she was excited for the school year and what is in store for everyone.
