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 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 情色空间 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

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 情色空间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. 鈥溓樯占 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