Aleyda Castillo was named a winner of a Massachusetts Restaurant Association's Stars of the Industry Award. (Photo by Peter Julian)
Two Boston College Dining Services employees were recognized recently at the Massachusetts Restaurant Association 鈥淪tars of the Industry鈥� Awards Gala in their respective job categories: Aleyda Castillo, a dishwasher in Stuart Dining Hall, was a winner and Heraldo Laguerre, a cashier in Carney鈥檚 Dining Room, was selected as a finalist.
Thirty employees from eateries around the state were selected and honored at the gala.
鈥淲e are very proud of the well-deserved recognition that Aleyda Castillo and Heraldo Laguerre received from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association,鈥� said Director of Dining Services Beth Emery. 聽鈥淭hey both do great work at their dining locations and are respected members of their team.鈥�
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe that I was the one getting recognized,鈥� said Castillo, who has worked at 51茶馆 for 20 years. 鈥淚 felt like I was at the Grammys; it was my first time at an event like this.鈥�
Heraldo Laguerre was a Stars of the Industry Award finalist in the cashier category. (Photo by Peter Julian)
General Manager of Stuart Dining Hall Sharyl Thompson said that she is 鈥渂lessed to work with [Castillo]. She is always happy and very appreciative. She has a great heart.鈥�
Laguerre, a 51茶馆DS employee for 30 years, was described by McElroy Commons General Manager Michael Forcier as the 鈥渦ltimate employee.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 a big star now,鈥� joked Laguerre, whose son flew in from California for the event. 鈥�51茶馆 is a good place to work. We are one family here.鈥�
Both employees said that they gave a portion of their winnings to their churches.
鈥揅hristine Balquist, University Communications