Nutrition Services employee nominated for national award

Erica Schumacher says it’s a joy to cook and serve meals for what she refers to as a “big, big family.”

Most would agree that preparing food for nearly 5,000 meals a day certainly fits that description. As production manager for Campbell County School District’s Nutrition Services Department, Schumacher helps make that happen every school day.

Now in her 14th year with CCSD, Schumacher’s mornings start early. At 3:30 a.m., she reports to the production kitchen at Campbell County High School, where much of the district’s food preparation begins. Some days find her prepping towering piles of spaghetti noodles. Other days, she’s browning 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of hamburger for hearty sloppy Joes.

When she’s not in the kitchen, Schumacher can often be found serving trays in the cafeteria. There, she greets students with smiles and waves, using brief moments to catch up on concerts they’ve attended or whether the prom theme was a hit. Over the years, those small interactions have become one of her favorite parts of the job.

Her dedication, leadership and positive attitude recently earned her a nomination for the National Life Group’s 2025–2026 LifeChanger of the Year award, which recognizes K-12 educators and school employees who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

Former Nutrition Services Supervisor Bryan Young nominated Schumacher, citing her ability to lead calmly and decisively in a fast-paced environment.

“I trust her to troubleshoot and make decisions on the fly when we are dealing with challenges such as shortages, special meal accommodations for students with allergies, catering events, professional development, and the daily pressure to deliver,” Young wrote in his nomination. “Because of her actions, I know students are always put first and taken care of.”

Until last week, Schumacher didn’t even know she had been nominated. She said she was surprised and grateful – especially after reading Young’s nomination letter. While she understands the importance of providing nutritious meals to students, she had never considered herself a “life changer.”

Instead, Schumacher is quick to share the credit with her team.

“I love this job and I love working with people who put a lot of time and effort into what they do,” she said. “It’s truly a group effort. All of us working together to make sure kids get what they need, enjoy lunchtime and have a good day.”

Community members who would like to leave a comment on Schumacher’s LifeChanger of the Year profile may do so here. The selection committee considers those comments when choosing this year’s award winners.

Thank you, Erica, for all you do for CCSD students every single day