Valedictorian takes the gold

Bristol Community College's 2008 valedictorian, Allyson Pereira, has added a national gold medal to her long list of accomplishments.

Allyson Pereira was already a decorated culinarian, with a silver medal from last year's SkillsUSA national competition in Kansas City, Mo., and a gold medal from the state competition this year.

The SkillsUSA competition for the food and beverage service category is part written test and part practical. Contestants are judged on personal appearance, tableside manner, professionalism, ease with guests, courtesy, general knowledge, and technical and verbal skills.

"Everything is a point," Allyson said. "You are constantly being judged."

To prepare for the written test, which is primarily about hospitality and hotel management, Allyson said that she read books on the subject, as it's not part of her degree program. For the practical aspect of competition, she prepared by visiting fine dining restaurants and watching films to see how servers were acting. She took notes on the details so that she could use their expertise to improve herself. 

Earlier this year she began working at Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar in Providence, something that she said "had a big impact" on her success during competition. She was able to gain experience and learn from the other servers, some with over 20 years experience in the business. "I saw the extra steps that the other servers took to improve the experience for the guests. It was natural to do that in competition because we do that every day at Hemenway’s."

Menu information was given to the competitors just shortly before the practical. While others were chatting, Allyson sat quietly and memorized the menu. She said doing this made her feel more confident when talking to the judges, as it allowed her to answer questions about the ingredients and how the food was prepared.

For Allyson, the national gold medal is a symbol of her success. "If you have a passion for something, and you succeed at it, there's no greater reward," she said. "But it's worth the effort you put in, even if you don't win a medal."

This was Allyson's third trip to national competition. She first competed as a senior at Diman Vocational Technical High School. "My first year, I didn’t know what to expect, or what was expected of me. I was like a baby in the new world." She finished tenth in the high school competition.

Allyson graduated from Diman with the intention of attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York. For financial reasons she had decided to postpone her plans temporarily. However, with the passing of her mother, Allyson took a second look at her future and with the guidance of instructors at Diman, she enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at BCC. She approached Chef Gloria Cabral about starting a SkillsUSA group, showing her the pictures she had taken at nationals, and telling her of the "life-changing experience." Chef Cabral agreed to serve as the advisor, and the BCC group was formed.

Since her arrival at BCC, Allyson has excelled both academically and in her technical skill. She graduated in May with an associate in arts in General Studies and a 3.92 grade point average. She earned the associate in applied science in Culinary Arts in December.

"I’m very proud of this school, and what they’ve given me in life," she said. "I still haven’t gotten over being chosen as valedictorian. I know I’m not the only one that deserved it, but it’s something that will be with me for the rest of my life, something I can use to motivate my kids."

Allyson is the first culinary arts student to complete the Commonwealth Honors Program. She has also provided service to the community by tutoring students from Diman and from the Newport Area Career and Technical Center.

This fall, Allyson will attend either Johnson and Wales University or the New England Culinary Institute to complete her bachelor's degree. In the future she hopes to pursue a master's degree in education, she says, so she can inspire others the way that instructors have inspired her.

"My instructors have inspired me to take the next step to further my goals and dreams. I feel so lucky to have met them," Allyson said. "They are passionate about their jobs. That’s how I want to be."

"The helped me learn that there’s no such thing as can’t. Anybody can do anything if they have the passion and drive. But you need an education," she said.

"College is exactly what you put into it. Those who do come, and concentrate, get an unbelievable education."