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Musketeer Monday Part Two: Maria Intili

Musketeer Monday Part Two: Maria Intili

Congratulations to Alfano Elementary School Cook, Mrs. Maria Intili, who is featured in this week's Musketeer Monday column!

September 2025 will mark 30 years of dedicated and loyal service that Mrs. Intili has provided to the kitchens of Central Islip Schools. She began her career as a permanent 3.5-hour Food Service Worker at O'Neill Elementary School and was later assigned to Mulvey Elementary and Central Islip High School to assist with the Breakfast Programs. Mrs. Intili eventually joined the staff at Reed Middle School as an Assistant Cook and, 11 years ago, became a Cook at Alfano Elementary School—a role she describes as both rewarding and fulfilling.

When asked about the most rewarding aspects of her work, Mrs. Intili responded without hesitation: "I just love the kids, and when they tell me they love the food—especially when they see me in the hall and ask if I'm making something they love. I also have such a good and hard-working team." She attributes the smooth operations of the Alfano kitchen to her staff, particularly Mrs. Runa Aktar, whom she praises: "Runa goes above and beyond. She is my right arm."

The duties of the kitchen staff are both complex and varied. Mrs. Intili detailed her responsibilities and those of her team, saying: "Some of the things I do include setting up the Breakfast Program and handling all of the food ordering for the week or sometimes two weeks." She also ensures all incoming food deliveries are checked for proper codes and expiration dates. At Alfano, a system is in place to accommodate students with food allergies—an essential part of the job, according to Mrs. Intili. "We also prepare lunches and ensure the register closes out accurately," she said, adding, "I'm big on cleanliness, too!"

In her free time, Mrs. Intili enjoys outdoor activities such as walking, bicycling, and taking her Yorkshire Terrier, Xena, for walks. She also sews clothes and makes stuffed animals for her four grandsons, whom she cherishes deeply. Family time is her greatest priority. Mrs. Intili has been married to her husband, William, for 41 years. Together, they have two daughters, Keriann and Sara, and two sons-in-law, James Grimaldi and Justyn Usera. Their four grandsons—Evin, Carmine, Hendrix, and Rome—are the center of her world. "Everything I do is for my grandkids," she said. "They are my whole world."

Alfano Elementary Principal Ms. Carmen Vazquez commented on Mrs. Intili's work ethic: "Mrs. Intili exemplifies extraordinary professionalism through her commitment to supporting our Alfano Community. Her meticulous attention to detail, combined with a genuine passion for creating nutritious and delicious meals, ensures that students and staff receive high~quality food served with care and efficiency. Beyond her culinary skills, Maria consistently demonstrates exceptional teamwork, collaborating seamlessly with kitchen staff, administrators and students to maintain the highest standard of food service and nutrition. Her positive attitude, reliability and proactive approach make her an invaluable asset to our school, consistently going above and beyond to create a welcoming and well-organized dining environment that supports the well-being of our entire school. We are blessed to have Maria on our team.

Pictured from left to right: Musketeer Monday Spotlight Feature and Alfano Elementary Cook, Mrs. Maria Intili, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sharon A. Dungee, Food Service Workers Chris Mastrangelo and Runa Aktar, Alfano Elementary School Principal Ms. Carmen Vazquez, and Food Service Workers Kristina Deonarine and Dinora Umanzor.