Staff Spotlight: Zharina Smith

We’re excited to introduce Zharina Smith, the Lead Cook at Fortuna Middle School, in this month’s Staff Spotlight! Zharina joined the FMS team in November 2023 and has already made a big impression with her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and cheerful presence in the kitchen.

Originally from the Philippines, Zharina moved to Humboldt County with her husband in 2010. Now a proud Fortuna resident, she’s raising two children, ages 12 and 7, who both attend local schools. Before joining the Fortuna Elementary School District, Zharina worked as a kitchen manager at a hotel for eight years, bringing a wealth of experience in food service and leadership.

Zharina’s principal shares, “Zharina has a great work ethic. She takes pride in her work and provides meals for our students three times a day.” Her dedication to keeping students well-fed and cared for is a vital part of what makes FMS such a supportive environment.

What Zharina enjoys most about her role is the fast-paced environment and early morning schedule. She loves working with the FMS team and finds joy in serving more than 200 students daily.

"There’s never a dull moment in the cafeteria with kids this age," she says. "They are funny, interesting, full of surprises and ridiculous stories!"

When she’s not hard at work preparing meals, Zharina and her family love hitting the road for camping adventures and foodie road trips. Trying new restaurants is a favorite activity, especially when seafood, sushi, or BBQ is on the menu. Her go-to sweet treats? Boba tea and pistachio ice cream! She also enjoys capturing memories along the way through photography.

Zharina’s energy, warmth, and pride in her work make her a wonderful part of the Fortuna Middle School family. Thank you, Zharina, for all you do to keep our students nourished and our school running smoothly!