Two women heroes to elementary children

LAFAYETTE, IND. (WLFI) - On the southern end of Tippecanoe County sits an elementary school. Corn fields and ball diamonds surround it. And inside Mintonye Elementary School is the feeling of family. Two people who have dedicated a combined 53 years of service to its students and their families, said there is no other place they would rather be.

Cooks at Mintonye Elementary are busy preparing lunch for 417 students. One of those women is Judy Riddle. Judy has spent most of the last 26 years making sure children receive lunch, and now, breakfast each day when they come to school.

"So I always check and make sure what we're going to have and then I prepare it. Like tomorrow, we're going to have bagel with cream cheese and so I put that all in a sack. And we're going to have oranges and then, we will have string cheese, so I have that all ready," said Judy Riddle.

Riddle started working in the kitchen in 1981. All three of her daughters were in school at the time, and she decided working while they were in class would be the perfect schedule. She said being in the kitchen at Mintonye is part of her life, including the people and the children she gets to see everyday.

"It's the kids and the people I work with. I mean, starting with Mr. Skaggs down to the janitor to the teachers to Diane in the office and it's just, it's fun. I mean, you become a close-knit family and I think that's what Mintonye has always thought of everyone. It's a close-knit family there. If someone needs something, they are there for them and it's wonderful. It really is," said Riddle.

It's a voice people have grown accustomed to hearing when they call Mintonye Elementary School. Diane Davis has been part of Mintonye since 1984. Diane has served as the school's secretary for the last 24 years. She said while some things stay the same, part of her work has changed.

"Everything used to be just in a hand ledger. Then they told me, maybe 10 or 12 years ago, I was going to get a computer. I wasn't real sure about that, but I guess I've decided that that's okay now," said Diane Davis.

Davis arrives at Mintonye each morning by 7:30 and is there until the students go home. And after so many years, the children of former students are now walking through the front doors.

"A lot of things have changed, but the kids are always the same. And it's just a gratification to see the kids, see them happy, be able to talk with them, and just a happy time," said Davis.

Davis has watched her two children and 8 of her 9 grandchildren attend Mintonye. The youngest still a few years away from school. Both women said they are in no hurry to retire.

"I hope to be here when the last granddaughter comes through and I don't know after that how long. It will be probably not a whole lot longer after that, if they'll let me stay that long," said Davis.

"I probably will until I can't do it anymore so, when I first started we had a lady working here. And she was 78. So I don't think i'll plan on staying that long, but I do enjoy it," said Riddle.

Riddle said when she started at Mintonye, the cooks had to plan the menu, and make lunch every day from scratch. Now the menu arrives from central office and much of the food comes pre-made.
Both women are celebrating 43 years of marriage and said Mintonye is part of their family.