A Celebration of Service, Strength, and a Diamond-Worthy Spirit
Sonya, a dedicated and hardworking member of the Bloomington community, has been making a meaningful impact in the local service industry. With support from Reach for Resources’ Employment Services, she’s shown how perseverance and a positive attitude can truly shine. In her role in food services at the Mall of America, Sonya has gone above and beyond—not only making her coworkers feel like family but also creating memorable experiences for the customers she serves.Sonya also played a key role in testing Reach for Resources’ Reach in Motion transportation service before its official launch in early 2025. Her commitment and upbeat spirit recently earned her a nomination for the 2025 Diamond Service Awards.
The nomination came at a poignant time. Sonya had just lost her mother when she received the news. “It was kind of a bittersweet thing because my mom had just passed,” she shared. “And then, like a week or so after, I found out I was nominated.”
Held annually in Bloomington, the Diamond Service Awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond in hospitality and service. Sonya was nominated in the “Best Food Production Personnel” category, honoring her four years of outstanding work at the Mall of America. “I didn’t even know the service awards were a thing until I was nominated,” she said with a laugh.
Following her nomination, Sonya had a professional headshot taken and completed two rounds of interviews with the Bloomington Travel & Tourism board. “It was very easygoing and chill,” she said. “You could just be yourself. You didn’t have to be somebody you weren’t.” The interviewers asked questions about her role and included feedback from the person who nominated her.
The awards gala, held at the DoubleTree in Bloomington on April 22, was a night to remember. Sonya wore her mother’s dress to the event, making the evening especially meaningful. “It made me feel like she was there,” she shared. One of the highlights of the night was the delicious dinner, featuring salad rolls, chicken, green beans, roasted potatoes, and a lemon and chocolate cake that ended the evening on a sweet note. Being nominated was a tremendous honor, especially with just four years on the job. Sonya’s dedication and positive attitude clearly left a lasting impression on those around her.
The evening was filled with fun moments, including photo opportunities, a 360-degree camera, and great music. Sonya was proud to be a finalist in her category. “There were 14 categories, and I was nominated for Best Food Production Personnel,” she said. “The awards were literally shaped like a diamond, which was really cool.” The nomination gave Sonya a boost and reminded her why she loves her work. She believes in treating coworkers and customers like family, a value that came through during her interviews. “My job is like my second family,” she said. “I want them to treat me the way I want to be treated, and I want to do the same for them. The same goes for our customer base. If you don’t treat them well, they’re not going to treat you well.”
Reflecting on the experience, Sonya feels proud and grateful. “It was just an overall good experience, and I was glad to be a part of it. Hopefully, I get to go again and bring one of those diamonds home,” she said with a smile.
Congratulations, Sonya! Your story is a powerful reminder that kindness, resilience, and hard work truly make a difference.