Hospitality Students Tell Why They Love Tech

You will never hear a senior in the Hospitality program at The Tech Center complain about going to school. “Once I start cooking, nothing else matters!” said Essence Dixon from Hendrick Hudson. Essence, one of four senior speakers at the annual Hospitality Senior Luncheon this week on the campus of Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, said her teachers in the program have been among “the best I’ve ever had!” Essence will pursue her love of cooking in the Culinary program at SUNY Delhi in the fall.

Marielle Martin from Somers, who also spoke at the luncheon, said of her time in the Hospitality program, “I found what I love to do and followed my dream.”

Students in the Hospitality program at Tech learn cooking, baking, restaurant management and a host of other practical skills to help launch their careers in the industry.

Katie Copeland from Walter Panas said that the $50,000 scholarship she earned to Johnson and Wales University for the fall “never would have been possible” without her work at The Tech Center.

The seniors, who were treated to a three-course, Southern-influenced luncheon prepared by juniors in the program, invited teachers from their home-district high schools who have helped them achieve their goals and acted as mentors.

Alyssa Small, from Hendrick Hudson, who also spoke at the event, said, “I learned more than I ever would have imagined,” in the program. Alyssa, who will study Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in the fall, added that learning practical things such as how to respond to customer requests quickly and how to manage time effectively will help students succeed in the restaurant and hospitality business.

“As our teacher, Chef Jenn, says, ‘Tech is a place where students can walk in the door and finally be themselves.”