Joan Bayes treated HPHS food service as a teaching opportunity
Joan Bayes knew as soon as she started managing the busy Highland Park High School cafeteria in 1991 that the role would be a perfect fit.
“Every day is a different day,” she said. “Every day, there’s some new little situation, or a new little surprise. Every day is not the same.”
More than three decades later, change continues to come to the high school cafeteria, though this time it’s less welcome. Bayes has retired as manager of the Highland Park High School PTA Food Service, and volunteers, students, and staff said that she’ll be greatly missed.
“There’s no job she wouldn’t do in the cafeteria, even though she runs it. She’s a great teacher,” said Alison Malone, who has volunteered with Bayes every Tuesday for the past two years. “She’s just so patient and good with everyone, and she’s just a loving presence in our school.”
“When I’m walking through the line, she’s always a smiling face,” said senior Cullum Brown, who will leave for Texas A&M University in the fall. “I’m glad that now that she’s gone, I’ll also be gone. I’d miss her in the cafeteria.”
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Brown and his Highland Park Bass Team partner Dylan Sorrells were this year’s recipients of the Joel Cribb Memorial Scholarship, which Bayes established in honor of her committed partner, who also loved fishing.
During her May retirement celebration, Bayes gave yet more gifts. She recognized staff members Aneisha McClure and Dina Ambriz with unique blankets that she had pieced and quilted herself.
McClure has worked with Bayes for six years, and Ambriz for 17. “I love it,” McClure said. “I’m glad I came here, really happy I came.”
Bayes began her career in Highland Park ISD at Bradfield Elementary, but thought about quitting after her first year. The elementary school was slow, she explained, and she didn’t have enough to do. Bayes even briefly took an evening job at Braum’s.
Then she was offered her position in the high school cafeteria, and an insufficient amount of work was no longer a problem.
In addition to preparing food for and serving students, staff catered evening banquets where food was served on real dishes and rented tablecloths.
Budget cuts have put an end to extravagant decorations and food, but not to Bayes’ role as a teacher and friend to students.
She’s taught young diners how to ring up their own purchases, a skill that will be useful when they get their first jobs, and has helped students in the Moody Advanced Professional Studies program develop their business plans.
“In the high school, there’s always something you can teach the students,” Bayes said. “No matter what the subject is.”
Bayes’ plans for retirement include traveling, golfing, fishing, paddleboarding, and quilting, as well as spending time with the Bible. She wanted to retire healthy and able to enjoy being in nature.
“‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight,’” Bayes quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 at her retirement celebration. “And He has made my path so straight, and so easy, and so lovely.”
