Aleyda Castillo

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 ā€œStars of the Industryā€ Awards Gala in their respective job categories: Aleyda Castillo, a dishwasher in Stuart Dining Hall, was a winner and Heraldo Laguerre, a cashier in Carneyā€™s Dining Room, was selected as a finalist.

Thirty employees from eateries around the state were selected and honored at the gala.

ā€œWe are very proud of the well-deserved recognition that Aleyda Castillo and Heraldo Laguerre received from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association,ā€ said Director of Dining Services Beth Emery. Ā ā€œThey both do great work at their dining locations and are respected members of their team.ā€

ā€œI couldnā€™t believe that I was the one getting recognized,ā€ said Castillo, who has worked at Ļć½¶Šć for 20 years. ā€œI felt like I was at the Grammys; it was my first time at an event like this.ā€

Heraldo Laguerre

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 ā€œblessed to work with [Castillo]. She is always happy and very appreciative. She has a great heart.ā€

Laguerre, a Ļć½¶ŠćDS employee for 30 years, was described by McElroy Commons General Manager Michael Forcier as the ā€œultimate employee.ā€

ā€œIā€™m a big star now,ā€ joked Laguerre, whose son flew in from California for the event. ā€œĻć½¶Šć is a good place to work. We are one family here.ā€

Both employees said that they gave a portion of their winnings to their churches.

ā€“Christine Balquist, University Communications