Cafeteria Manager Retires Leaving Legacy of Love

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

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