By Patrick Aboud

On a recent Tuesday, I did something I hadn’t done in years: eat lunch in the Lower School cafeteria, Centennial Hall. For most students, a visit to a Lower School building is rare once you’ve moved on to Middle or Upper School, but Seniors get a few chances when they hang out with their Kindergarten buddies. But for me, this return wasn’t just about food; it was also a nostalgic trip to the early days of my time at Collegiate.

Centennial Hall, the cafeteria for our youngest Cougars, has been serving lunch since it opened in 2015. Its name honors the 100th anniversary of our school’s founding; a century of tradition, community, and learning. I still remember when the building was under construction when I was in 3rd Grade; everyone was sad that they had taken away the field where we played soccer during recess, but when they had completed Centennial, everyone was in awe of the new building. The previous cafeteria, Burke Hall, has now been transformed into a teaching space.

Photo credit: Patrick Aboud.

As I walked into Centennial, I was immediately hit with a sense of familiarity. The layout, the sounds of chatter and silverware clinking, and of course, the iconic green lunch trays, all came rushing back. Those green trays were more than just plastic serving pieces. For me, they represented a time when lunch was the highlight of the day, and carrying one again made me feel like a Lower Schooler for a moment.

Despite the years that have passed, not much about the cafeteria’s food has changed, and I mean that in the best way. The menu that day featured Philly cheesesteaks and potato wedges, a combo also often available in McFall Hall for Middle and Upper School lunch. The sandwich was warm and satisfying, with melted cheese and perfectly cooked steak slices. The wedges, one of my favorite foods that Collegiate makes, were golden and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and of the same quality you’d find in McFall.

Photo credit: Patrick Aboud.

To my surprise, the salad bar was every bit as impressive as the one we’re used to in Upper School. There were mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, olives, hard-boiled eggs, multiple dressing options; basically, a full spread. It’s comforting to know that from a young age, students are given access to fresh and healthy choices alongside their main meal.

While I was enjoying my lunch, I noticed a lunch transition happening right in front of me. The Kindergarteners were wrapping up their meals and heading outside to recess on Fort Cougar, the Lower School’s beloved playground space. Their excitement was contagious. Just a few minutes later, a new group poured in: 1st Graders arriving for lunch. The energy was high, the voices were loud, and everything felt alive in that special way only a Lower School cafeteria can.

Photo credit: Patrick Aboud.

After I finished eating, I talked with a few students to hear what they thought of their lunch experience. I was curious: was the food really as good as I remembered? I asked them what their favorite cafeteria foods were, and they responded quickly. Spaghetti, pizza, mac and cheese, and, of course, desserts were the clear winners. It was clear from their smiles that lunch in Centennial Hall is still something students look forward to, and for obvious reasons.

As I walked out of the cafeteria, green tray returned and appetite satisfied, I felt a warm sense of appreciation. Visiting Centennial Hall reminded me that things change as we grow up—classes get harder, schedules get busier, responsibilities pile up—yet some things stay the same. That cafeteria still serves as a time of joy and connection for students, just as it did when I was in their shoes years ago.

It’s easy to forget the little things that made our early school years special. But sitting in that space again, eating a meal on that classic green tray, brought so many memories flooding back. I remembered grabbing multiple desserts even though we were only allowed one, rushing to be first in line while still sweating from recess, and drinking the grape juice cartons. I remembered the sound of teachers reminding students to use “inside voices” and the buzz of excitement when recess was only minutes away.

In many ways, this visit was a reminder of how far I’ve come and how important those early experiences were in shaping who I am today. Centennial Hall isn’t just a cafeteria. It’s a place where friendships are formed, routines are learned, and where laughter and joy happen on a daily basis. And for those of us who’ve moved on, it’s a living time capsule of where we started.

So if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend taking a trip back to where it all began. Grab a green tray, enjoy the Philly cheesesteak (or whatever’s on the menu), and let yourself remember what it was like when lunchtime was the best part of the day.

Featured image courtesy of Collegiate School.