By Kurumi Fukushima
Photo by Nicole Maselli/ The Lafayette
“NUMBER FIFTY TWOO!”
Perched behind the counter at Gilbert’s Café calling out order numbers, Vanessa Tyree has a voice that can carry to every corner of the eatery.
“Can’t you tell when I’m yelling? I just have a big mouth … I like to belt itout.”
As night shift supervisor, Vanessa works every evening—including weekends—running the register, making milkshakes and smoothies, answering the phone for deliveries and checking to make sure the food looks good when it finally comes out. For the past five years, she has been greeting students and taking orders, most often with a smile.
“I like to joke around a lot with the kids and their families,” she said.
According to Thomas Bolt ’12, “[Vanessa] is always so friendly and welcoming and she really gets to know who you are … I went abroad for a year and she remembered my name!” he said. “She is great.”
In Tyree’s opinion, “When you go in somewhere and someone acts a certain way, that brings your spirit up in a certain way … if you give them good vibes, then good vibes come back to you.”
Her philosophy makes sense—especially in the context of her personal history.
Vanessa was born in Easton and, as the second oldest of four, grew up watching out for her younger siblings.
“My grandparents raised me … you know because my mother worked a lot,” she said.
Although she admits she to being a troublemaker in her youth, Vanessa still stayed busy with friends and extracurricular activities.
“I was on the drill team and also very involved in sports. I was on the swim team, the gymnastics team and the track team at school … I couldn’t do a cartwheel now though to save my life!” she said.
After graduating from Easton Area High School, she secured her first job as a nursing home aid, but a surprise pregnancy threw her off track.
Today, she has two daughters, ages 23 and 18, as well as 2 granddaughters who also call her “Mom.” Both of her daughters gave birth around the same time, one in February and one in March.
“[Some students] found out my daughters were both having babies, and they brought me a gift. It was a box of pampers,” she said. “I cried like a baby. I thought that was so sweet.”
Though Vanessa knows many students beyond a perfunctory greeting, she claims those she is closest to would be surprised by her hidden talent.
“I don’t like to admit it, but I can sing. I sing in my church choir. Not real high soprano…and I do a lot of karaoke. I sing Killing Me Softly by the Fugees and Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings.
“I love the oldies,” she added. “But I DON’T like rap”
Vanessa goes to Trinity Baptist Church on the south side of Easton. “I do a lot of things with my church.” Anything from sales of baked goods and Christmas trees to cleanup within the church itself.
With her full schedule—raising children by day, working by night—Vanessa still finds time to attend shows at Williams Arts Center.
“Every time a student tells me about an event, I try to go to it,” she said.
Vanessa shows up to support her favorite students in college theater productions.
“I always go to the plays. I’ve seen Rent, Footloose, the ISA step show and an opera show. When a student lets me know about one, I go to it.”
At the college’s 19th Annual Aaron O. Hoff Awards Ceremony in 2009, Vanessa won the People’s Choice Award, given to students or employees known as unusually productive and concerned for the betterment of the college and its student body.
“I see all different types [of Lafayette students], but in general they are all very good kids. You’ve all got a head on your shoulders and you’ve made it this far. For the most part, you guys are all very great individuals.”
“I think I’ve gotten close with a lot of you guys … I keep in touch with graduates through Facebook … my daughter showed mehow.”
When asked where she sees herself in five or ten years she replied with a chuckle, “On top of a mountain!” Then continued, “Actually, owning my own home. Yes it’s a lot of work, but I like being home and taking care of my kids … just being happy.”