Most students will agree that the lunch program has improved, thanks to the efforts of our new Cafeteria Manager Susan Ruhl.


Ruhl took her position at LAUSD this year, tasked with overlooking the cafeteria, making sure healthy foods are being served and lines are managed efficiently.
Ruhl has set high goals for herself.  “I would love nothing better than to be serving every student at lunch.”  She continues to say that previous school lunch was not top quality, and faculty members were reluctant to enter the cafeteria to purchase food.   

She encourages all to buy lunch tickets and to eat healthy because she says, “Nothing is worse than when you are older and have to deal with losing weight or diabetes.”
Before accepting the position for the district, Ruhl worked for the private sector, where she ran many restaurants, including Red Lobster for two years, the Marriott, and Sky Chef, an airline catering for a combined 33 years. In addition, she has received a college certification qualifying her to work in schools and hospitals.


Ruhl sees some similarities in her line of work. “I may reach a different clientele; for instance, here I’m dealing with students, whereas before it was with families, but to me the students of today are the future parents.”


Ruhl decided to work for the district because she attended Horace Mann and Washington High School locally, and jokingly adds that she enjoys having weekends off, a luxury which she has never had before. As for working at this school, “I was interviewed at several different schools, and at many I was overqualified, but Uni accepted me.” 


Ruhl says that teachers have approached her to comment on how much better the food has become. She encourages all students to speak to her if they have any questions. “I love talking to people,” she adds.