The winner of the VIP Excellence Awards 2000 `Young Person with the Most Promise Award' has fallen in love -- with hospitality.

brings a collaboration of experience and academia to her work in the hospitality industry.

Wit h a healthy dose charm and grace, Nichelle has been winning over tourists for four years while working on luxurious properties such as The Harmony Club, The Belmont Resort, Ariel Sands Club, Stonington Beach Hotel and the cruise ship Crown Dynasty .

Young Observer spoke with the 20-year-old hotelier about her past, present and future.

Nicelle began working in the dining room of the Harmony Club when she was 16-years-old during her summer.

She said: "It was a very difficult week. I had road rash -- I was a non-rider with a bike.'' she joked about the early riding experience.

She worked at the Harmony Club for a very short time but quickly found her niche at the Belmont Hotel and Resort.

Initially, Nichelle served tea in the hotel's Harbour Sights Lounge but quickly moved into Front Desk, Sales and Marketing within two summers.

"That's where I started front desk. I chose to make a career out of it.'' she said.

After earning the Diane Lines Memorial Scholarship for her Hotel certificate at Bermuda College, Nichelle began the Associate course in the Hotel and Business Administration programme.

"School consumes most of my time but I do like to walk, living on South Shore its easy to find trails. And I like to watch soccer -- not football, soccer.'' Nichelle hopes to fulfil at least one of her life goals within the next ten years.

"I would hope that I would have a family by then. Unfortunately, hospitality is not a nine to five job. I'm definitely going to have to work out something with the job that I love.

"I think about moving into reservations. Going to trade shows abroad.'' Reservationists often travel to inspect other properties as well as their own.

"The better you know your product, the better you can sell it.'' she added.

"Or maybe destination management where you do itineraries -- activities like golf, tennis, tours and arranging transportation.'' she said.

Nichelle already has similar experience as a concierge in one of her many roles at the Belmont Resort.

And she complimented her teachers, past and present, for their experience and guidance.

"I think the best thing is that they are very experienced in the profession that they teach. You can take students out of the class by what they teach.'' she said.

A classroom experience Nichelle said she finds enlightening is a food and beverage course with instructor Matthew Sorenson.

The students study theory in the classroom then apply the lessons in a real restaurant setting in the college's Prospect Room.

Lunch in the Prospect Room costs $15 for a three-course meal, available to tourists and locals.

"It's the cheapest sit-down lunch with three courses.'' she said.

"I've done Social Hostess before at Belmont so now its understanding the entire experience.

"And Mr. Sorenson is very funny and makes the class a breeze because he's done restaurant management, he brings a wealth of knowledge.'' she said.

Nichelle has thought of teaching in the industry but would like a full and long career first.

She wants to enter the front office field after Bermuda College, but hopes to get cross training in other areas like marketing, accounting or computers, before joining the work force.

When asked where she thought her current career path would take her in five years, she said: "I want all my education out of the way by then but I think there will still be a lot of learning to be done.'' "I like the small properties and the one-on-one interaction. I think they have a lot to offer.

"And the Excellence award makes me live up to it. It's a challenge and it sets another challenge.'' she said, shifting her aims on a successful hospitality career.

Nichelle Sticca