On December 5th, Cypress Falls students stepped into the courtyard with buzzing excitement as Food Truck Friday returned, an event built on flavor, community, and the shared joy of earning something together. What started as a simple attendance incentive has grown into one of the school’s most beloved traditions, bringing students, teachers, and clubs together around sizzling grills and sweet treats.
Senior and student council president Braylon Booker said the council plays a major role in bringing the event to life.
“We kind of play a major role because we’re the ones that find a date to make sure Food Truck Friday happens,” Booker said. “We come together, talk as a group, and work with the APs to make it happen.”
Booker explained that the idea originated during his junior year when grade levels used to host their own individual food days. Eventually, someone floated a new idea: instead of scattering events across the calendar, why not unite everything into one big celebration?
“We were like, wait what if we just have all of ours in one day and make it a fun Food Truck Friday?” Booker said.
For Booker, the best part of being involved is the sense of togetherness.
“It’s the funness of it, because it brings everyone together,” Booker said. “And it encourages kids, too. If you go to class and avoid tardies, you get rewarded for it.”
Each grade level hosts a different truck, with the choices reflecting their own tastes and fundraising goals.
“For seniors, we’re doing a Mexican truck,” Booker said. “It has quesadillas, nachos, tacos. Juniors are doing Chick-fil-A, sophomores are doing Canes. Everyone has their own truck so we can raise money for our class events.”
Assistant Principal Wanda Wright explained that Food Truck Friday began as an idea from administrators aiming to boost attendance.
“It started out as an idea from [Assistant Principal] Dr. Figueroa, and then she talked to me about it,” Wright said. “I took over organizing it from there.”
The first Food Truck Friday, held last year, was run entirely by administrators and it worked.
“Mr. Parsons, [principal], came up with the idea, and we did see an improvement in attendance,” Wright said. “So we decided to continue it.”
Now the event has grown into a combined effort between APs and student organizations, including student council and the Spanish Club, which is adding its own food option this round.
“We’ve gotten student council involved, Spanish Club is involved. They’re offering a food truck to raise money for their organization too,” Wright said.
The purpose of the event is simple but meaningful: encourage students to come to school consistently and be on time.
“Our attendance sometimes dips below 98%, so our goal is to push it back up,” Wright said. “We’re starting to include tardies as well.”
Planning begins a month or two in advance, depending on how many vendors will participate. This year includes crowd favorites like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Donut Envy, Thirsty Birds, and more.
“It doesn’t take long to organize because the vendors are always willing to come,” Wright said. “The hardest part is actually pulling the attendance data and determining who qualifies.”
This upcoming event presents extra challenges, from the cold weather to reduced space due to construction, but the team has already walked the area and finalized the layout.
Even though Wright doesn’t personally participate in eating at the trucks, she sits at the check-in table ensuring only qualifying students enter. She still sees the joy it brings.
“I do think it boosts morale,” Wright said. “Students get tired of cafeteria food or bringing the same lunch every day. It’s a nice change, even for teachers.”
Food Truck Friday continues to grow, gathering momentum with each new event. It strengthens school spirit, rewards effort, and gives students something to look forward to even on the chilliest afternoons.
With more trucks, more clubs involved, and a stronger sense of community each time, Cypress Falls’ most delicious tradition doesn’t just feed students.
It lifts them.
And it keeps them coming back on time, together, and hungry for more.
