ST JAMES, Jamaica- The employees who copped the top three honours for outstanding performances at the recent Riu Palace staff awards ceremony, were all seasoned members of staff.

The trio- Dalton Tyrell of the grounds department, who walked away with the coveted Staff of the Year Award; Delroy Clarke from the maintenance department, who earned the Manager of the Year Award, and Sedella Patterson of the housekeeping department, who secured the Supervisor of the Year Award- have each given over 10 years of service to the resort.

Additionally, Riu’s Regional Director of Operations, Frank Sondern, was awarded for his over 20 years of service in Jamaica.

He was one of the 30 workers recognised for over 10 years of service during the ceremony which saw the handing out of over 70 awards.

The awardees were presented with various prizes, including cash and weekend for two occupancy at local Riu hotels of their choice.

An overjoyed Tyrell said he was rewarded for his consistent hard work and dedication.

“People have seen my work. We come in the mornings, rake the beach, mow lawns, trim flowers, make sure the gardens are clean and everything,” the former student of the Knockalva Polytechnic College in Hanover said.

“We treat everybody like family,” he added.