Alissa Stylc: The Importance of Pizza

Alissa Stylc: The Importance of Pizza

By Gwen Schemm, ENGL 336

As someone looking for a part-time job, Ledo’s Pizza in Carroll County seemed like a good fit for senior Alissa Stylc. She would have never dreamed that waitressing would change what it did.

She refers to herself as the “black sheep” of the family. Her family, made up of an older sister, older brother, younger sister, and her parents, have dark eyes and dark hair while she has bright blue eyes and blonde hair. Stylc loves Christmas, which is a similarity she shares with her father and continued to explain that during the holiday season her house is decorated to the extent that it “looks like a hoarder house”.

Growing up, Stylc cheered competitively, played volleyball throughout high school, and made it completely clear that she hates running. She decided to solely focus on academics when college came.

As graduation nears, Stylc reflected on the various major switches and experiences that helped her get to where she is today. Deciding on majoring in Liberal Arts with a minor in Marketing, came after an internship at ClearEdge IT Solutions, LLC. Beforehand, majors in Health Science and Business were both considered before settling on Liberal Arts. One thing stayed consistent throughout her major switches and any challenges that came her way in college: the dream to be a boss.

When she was 17, Stylc would have never guessed that taking a job at Ledo’s Pizza would essentially help her figure out the rest of her life. At 19, Stylc would meet Patrick, her future husband and someone she went to high school with. Laughing, Stylc said “I had no idea who he was” when she walked into work and talked with him. Then, at 23, she married Patrick and began to plan a life with him. Ledo’s Pizza changed her last name from Stylc to Mattis. Then, a typical waitress-customer interaction from Ledo’s, proved to be just the advice Stylc needed at that point in her life. What she describes as a seemingly normal experience waiting on a couple, Stylc was surprised by the generous tip and shocked by the note on the receipt: “You will be the CEO of your own company”. Those words have stuck in the back of her mind guiding her to finding herself and finding who she wants to be.

Photo by Taylor Mattis
Alissa Stylc laughing with her husband Patrick Mattis (right)
and Nick (back), the couple's close friend

With graduation in December, she has good control on the life changes that are coming her way. After receiving her diploma, Stylc plans to move with her husband to the Virginia Beach area which fulfills her dream of living near water. With a huge smile on her face, she also will be living with her husband’s dog, Gracie, who she is admittedly obsessed with.  

Always with a smile on her face, Stylc thanks the couple who saw something special in her. Serving pizza seemed minuscule, but it really was just the beginning.