Prices inflate every year in the cafeteria, causing absurd amounts of spending for students trying to buy lunch. Determined to graduate debt-free, a group of seniors, including Cash Banks ‘24, started washing dishes to pay their dues. 

“When I first started the dishes, I think that’s where they saw my potential,” Banks said. “What can I say? They were spotless. Dawn, you’ve done me wonders.” 

With over -$1,000,000 as a collective Infinite Campus balance this March and prices continuously inflating, Banks knew he had to do something, he said. In his last few months of school, he and a few friends put their IDs aside and started scooping. Soon, they had a whole new staff to add to the cafeteria roster. 

“Only $20 down the drain daily led me to my new look–hairnets and latex gloves,” Banks said. “I don’t mind it. Call me your top ‘lunch gentleman.’” 

Head lunch lady Gladys Beazley is overwhelmed with the new additions to her staff, she said. The expansion of help allows them to serve a variety of new options, like milkshakes. 

“I really didn’t expect this many students to be taking up dishwashing,” Beazley said. “But, when I saw the pristine conditions of the plastic trays, I nearly fainted. That’s when I knew, I found my new staff.” 

Promotions usually happen within years of service, but with the overflow of new hires, Banks and the original debt-payers became assistant cafeteria managers, overseeing the newer groups of seniors paying off their outstanding balances. 

“I didn’t think I’d be managing the cafeteria before I graduated, but here I am,” Banks said. “It’s all about hardy leadership, you know? Plus, the apron really ties the whole look together.”

By the time graduation comes around, it is anticipated that the group will have successfully paid off almost half of their dues, which means they will be continuing this work over summer. 

“It’s not ideal, the summer of senior year, to be cooped up in the NC cafeteria, but that’s what you get when you order too many chicken finger baskets, I guess,” he said.