Wake up, get to work early, clean the toilets, clean the desks, wipe off the writing in the bathroom stalls, give the kids the food and drinks they need. These are just some of the things that our staff does every day. They wake up early, and they do whatever they can to make this school a better environment for the students at Fredericksburg High School. But, most students don’t know their names or how much they do for the students here.

Emma Wehmeyer is the smiling assistant manager in the cafeteria at Fredericksburg High School and Carmen Ruiz is a custodian in the gym and cafeteria, who is always willing to share a laugh.

“I have been here for 12 years,” Wehmeyer said. “I had a child here at FHS so I chose to work here because I wanted off the same holidays and off during summer. I felt so happy being with my child at school.”

 While working in a kitchen and preparing food for hundreds of students may not be the most ideal place for most it is something Wehmeyer enjoys.

“Serving food for the kids is one of my favorite things to do,” Wehmeyer said. “Cooking is a very long process, and it usually takes two and a half hours to cook all the food because there are so many different lines with such a wide variety.” 

Wehmeyer manages to find a balance between cooking efficiently and effectively to provide the best food for students. While the kitchen is one side of FHS, the other side can be seen in the hallways as the janitorial staff.

“I’ve worked here for six years, but I worked at elementary for five years before,” Carmen Ruiz said. “I switched to FHS because I didn’t like that the kids threw up all the time. Here at the high school I do just about everything you can think about.”

Students play a very big role in the work environment of Ruiz. Depending on the circumstances, students can add more workload to her job or add a layer of fun to her every day routine.

“I really like to joke around and make fun of the kids. There has never been a day I have not wanted to come to work.”

Ruiz gets along with the students at school and creates a safe environment for the kids to talk to her. She is very intertwined in the students’ school life.

“I basically know all the scoop at FHS because students trust me and confide in me,” Ruiz said. “Their openness makes feel like I play a big role at the high school.” 

The staff at FHS is very involved with the students whether it be a simple hello or a personal conversation. One thing remains certain is that the students are the driving factor for the staff at this school.

“What motivates me to come to school are the students because I love them, and I have fun with them,” Ruiz said.