By: Jewel Dickerman
At Wallenpaupack Area High School, students and staff take pride in creating a community that supports one another — and Dana Anolfo’s recent project for the Governor’s Breakfast Challenge is a perfect example of that dedication.
For this statewide initiative, Dana was tasked with designing a plan to help the school reach and feed as many students as possible. After collaborating with Ms. Peppiatt, she came up with the idea of implementing a second-chance breakfast— a smart and compassionate solution that gives students another opportunity to eat if they miss the early morning meal.
“Some students arrive late or just don’t like the morning cafeteria rush,” Dana explained. “The second-chance breakfast lets them still access a meal, while also helping reduce congestion during the busiest time of day.”
During a recent school news broadcast, Dana highlighted an important issue: although Wallenpaupack serves more than 900 students, only about 325 eat breakfast each day. “That number truly breaks my heart,” she said.
“Breakfast and lunch are free, and it’s so important that students take advantage of this opportunity. If participation doesn’t increase, we risk losing the program — which would mean students would have to pay for meals again. I really don’t want that to happen.”
Beyond the breakfast initiative, Dana also helps organize monthly community dinners, where families can come together to enjoy locally sourced meals. She makes it a point to feature produce from the PA Harvest of the Month program, celebrating healthy food and local agriculture.
“I love hosting these dinners,” she shared. “There’s something special about seeing students and their families sit together, enjoy a meal, and not having to worry about cooking for the night. It’s important that parents see the quality of food we serve every day and feel the sense of family that defines our community.”
Dana’s dedication to supporting her classmates and families reflects what makes Wallenpaupack Area High School truly exceptional — a place where compassion, creativity, and community spirit come together to make a real difference.
