By John Brasier Record Staff Writer Kyle Winfrey loves to talk to customers but hates to draw attention to herself. Working at the counter at McDonald’s in Foristell, Winfrey is encouraged to ask …
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Student earns top McDonald’s honor
Posted
By John BrasierRecord Staff WriterKyle Winfrey loves to talk to customers but hates to draw attention to herself.Working at the counter at McDonald’s in Foristell, Winfrey is encouraged to ask customers to call a toll-free number to take a customer service survey.“I love to talk to people, but I feel weird asking people to do a survey for me,” said Winfrey, a senior at Wright City High. “I can’t do it.”As it turns out, Winfrey didn’t need to ask. Several customers have called the hotline with praise for Winfrey’s friendly, efficient service. One customer even wrote a note warning McDonald’s that he wanted to hire Winfrey away for his business.Thanks to the rave reviews, Winfrey was honored as Outstanding Crewperson of the Year from McDonald’s eight-state Heartland region, which includes more than 26,000 employees at 506 restaurants. At a surprise presentation Jan. 26 at the Foristell McDonald’s, she received the award and $1,000, including $300 from franchise owner Joan Elhoffer.Prompted by the positive phone calls, Elhoffer’s management team at the Foristell McDonald’s nominated Winfrey for the award in November.A gathering of family, friends and McDonald’s corporate officials — including Ronald McDonald — greeted Winfrey for the presentation when she arrived at work after her morning classes.Winfrey’s mother, Valerie Foust, had taken her three younger siblings out of school for the presentation. Some faculty members from the high school were also on hand.The restaurant was decorated with balloons. Winfrey was given a bouquet of flowers.“I was like, ‘Holy, moly,’ ” said Winfrey. “It was crazy.“Everybody knew but me. I usually know about stuff like that. So for everyone to get around me that was pretty good.”Winfrey, who recently accepted an $8,000 scholarship to attend Westminster College beginning in January 2016, said she plans to major in accounting and use the prize money for college expenses.At Wright City High School, Winfrey is captain of the girls basketball team. She’s also participated in softball, track, National Honor Society and Student Council. She said she’s been a McDonald’s employee for about 1 1/2 years and estimates she works 20 to 25 hours per week.Fred Ross, Wright City varsity girls basketball coach, trusts Winfrey to lead the team through drills at practice.“She has to be a hard worker to balance everything she does,” said Ross. “She shows a lot of leadership ability. She does a great job running part of our practice.”Winfrey said her schedule won’t be as hectic after the basketball season ends later this month.“I used to be tired all the time, but now I’m used to it,” said Winfrey. “After basketball season, I won’t have anything to do with myself, so I’ll probably work more.”
Wright City senior Kyle Winfrey, left, was named the 2014 McDonald’s Crew Person of the Year for the St. Louis region. Submitted photos.
