Making Friday Fun Again

Introduction

Popcorn Friday stands as a cherished tradition at Collins Aerospace in Wichita, Kansas, its origins were from a post Barry Banther employee empowerment session. Which led to the creation of the EAT committee (employee appreciation team). They did a lot of different things to celebrate or honor employees at one time but all that is left of that endeavor is the popcorn machine. I distinctly recall the whimsical popcorn announcement by technician Richard Loftland over the intercom system, a narrative that sometimes stretched a tad too long but captured everyone's attention. Another notable contributor to the Friday cheer was our customer service representative, Nena Stroh, with her simple yet effective declaration, "Good morning and happy Friday, there is popcorn in the lunchroom."
The progression of Popcorn Friday took an exciting turn when Manager Arron introduced the first popcorn song, a rock-a-billy tune that resonated throughout the shop:

Pop pop popcorn
Pop pop popcorn
Pop pop popcorn in the lunchroom
In the lunchroom.

On a Friday when Arron was absent or preoccupied, I seized the opportunity to belt out a different popcorn song. As time progressed, my quest to outpace Arron at 9 AM led me to incorporate audio from YouTube on my iPhone for song introductions or endings. I always ended every song with the announcement, “Popcorn in the lunchroom.”
Despite the mostly positive reception, I encountered critics who heard me belt out the tunes and advised, "Give it up, John," while others became fans, offering words of encouragement like "Good job!" and even applauding as the song reached its conclusion. Soon, people began actively participating by suggesting songs or inquiring about the musical lineup for the following week. Still, I had pre-performance jitters each week even though I would have secret practice sessions in the training room. My hands would tremble while dialing the intercom number. Surprisingly, even after six months of delivering the popcorn song, the anxiety persisted, because I was always crafting a new song each week.
At one point, I wrestled with the notion that my performances was just showing off and attempted to recruit another person for the popcorn song. However, no one stepped forward, and after a brief hiatus, the clamor for the popcorn songs resurfaced. Employees expressed their anticipation for Fridays solely for the joy of the popcorn song, with some even texting the song titles to their loved ones.
Recognizing the impact, our head manager, Eric Ebron, bestowed upon me a Spot Award in the category of Innovation which stated. “This Spot award is to thank you for keeping the Friday morale high! Your ‘above and beyond’ approach to the team lightens the mood and helps the team unwind after a hard week. Keep inspiring!” With the Spot Award in hand, I knighted myself a "Star," a title I would carry with humor and humility throughout my “singing career” and always striving to remain grounded in the face of newfound fame.

The Popcorn Man

Youngout Narongvate, who goes by the name Lek, is our dedicated popcorn popper, and is a force to be reckoned with in the world of corn-popping. With his no-nonsense approach, he can have a batch of popcorn ready to serve in an impressive five to six minutes, complete with his signature touch of a buttery enhancer that elevates the flavor to perfection.
Describing Lek as a short Asian man once led to an interesting encounter with a socially conscious “woke” colleague. While I simply acknowledged his physical attributes, the young lady next to me expressed discomfort with the description. It left me pondering the differences in generational perspectives. Nevertheless, Lek's stature and race are simple facts, a testament to the diversity of our team.
Beyond his popcorn ability, Lek is a hardworking leader, known for his outspoken nature and his role as a go-to person for problem-solving. Whether it's tackling broken screws or navigating the complexities of our computer system, Lek is the man to turn to. His versatility extends beyond the popcorn station, making him an indispensable asset to our team.
One memorable exchange with Lek highlighted his belief in the power of confidence. When I hesitated about applying for a promotion due to perceived lack of skills, he emphatically corrected me, asserting that confidence, not just skills, was the key to success. It was a valuable lesson that has stuck with me.
Come Halloween, Lek adds a touch of humor to the workplace by donning a headband, reminiscent of the Karate Kid's instructor. It's a playful tradition that showcases his lighthearted side and brings a smile to the faces of those around him. Lek's influence extends even to my creative endeavors, with many of my popcorn songs featuring him prominently. His dedication, skills, and unique personality make him a true standout in our workplace, leaving a lasting mark on both our popcorn and our team culture.

Popcorn song:

Sweet Home Alabama

w/audio intro

“Sweet Home Alabama” is a song by American southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on the band’s second album Second Helping (1974). It was written in response to Neil Young’s 1970 song “Southern Man”, which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery; Young is name-checked and dissed in the lyrics. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, becoming the band’s highest-charting single. The song remains a staple in southern and classic rock and is arguably the band’s signature song.

Sweet homemade popcorn

Where the lunchroom is so cool

Sweet homemade popcorn

In the lunchroom just for you.

Sweet homemade popcorn.