At McKinley Middle School, a Renovated Cafeteria Space Takes Shape with Student Voice

Student council leaders made great consultants for the philanthropic project

(Washington, DC) — Students at McKinley Middle School hardly recognized their newly renovated cafeteria space when school and district leaders unveiled it during a recent lunch period, despite playing an important role in the design of the “Gator Bites Cafe.”

Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) gave their input on logos, colors, furniture, and the layout of the new dining space, learning an important lesson about how students can have a voice in school initiatives large and small.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be exactly like the pictures. I feel like it’s way better in person than in the pictures,” said Wangari Watts, SGA vice president.

Watts, along with several other SGA members, met with the team from DC Public Schools (DCPS) Food and Nutrition Services to give their feedback as the project developed. They shared their thoughts on the signage and wording that would appear on the cafe’s columns, and selected which tables would be installed.

AmTab, a national furniture, manufacturing, and design company, donated the funding for this renovation, which began its design process last fall. 

McKinley Middle School Principal Kortni Stafford had one last surprise for the SGA members who got a sneak peek of the space; a plaque adorning the wall with the names of the students who worked on the project.  

“They basically designed along with AmTab,” said Principal Stafford. “It’s that their legacy is going to live in the building for years to come.”  

“This space is just a result of hard work and great minds coming together to make a great area for children and scholars to have lunch,” Watts said.  

The renovation also included an upgrade to McKinley Technology High School’s atrium, which is located on the same level as the middle and high school cafeteria. The entire project cost an estimated $500,000.