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Alumni Spotlight
Kenzie Parkinson
Kenzie Parkinson, 20, of Jeannette, PA, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2022-2024 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Parkinson want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship, so it was very affordable for me to get my education while commuting from home and work. The culinary program was also well recommended and highly regarded,” says Parkinson.
Westmoreland has one of the region’s best culinary programs and has graduated some of the state's (and country’s) top chefs, including one of our own alumni, Rich Rosendale, who holds the prestigious title of Certified Master Chef.
At Westmoreland, Parkinson studied Culinary Arts. While some people take up studies in another county or another state, Parkinson has far exceeded this. She is currently furthering her studies in the south of France for Patisserie.
While looking back at her college days, Parkinson has a memory that sticks out the most.
“In my last semester at WCCC, I had a day of labs that started at 8 a.m. and went till 8-9 p.m. Between the two labs I had a 3-hour break. During the first half of that break I would study and do homework, but the second half I always, always reserved for myself. I would walk around campus for at least an hour (sometimes I would run) and practice my French with podcasts. It was truly my most cherished time,” states Parkinson.
Did Parkinson have a favorite instructor?
Parkinson states, “Chef Schmucker is such a down to earth, respectful and hard-working person. He has a way of teaching the most high end cooking techniques, dishes and plating all with a rare, admirable humbleness.”
Now that she has graduated from Westmoreland, what is she up to now?
“After graduating, I continued to work at the restaurant I had been at through my studies (J. Corks, Greensburg). When I was accepted into a French Patisserie and Culinary School, I decided to search for jobs in bakeries. Luckily, I found a place right in my hometown willing to teach me for a few months before I departed. Now, I am happily living and learning in a small town on the Mediterranean Sea,” says Parkinson.
That is truly fantastic.
With that being said, how has Westmoreland prepared Parkinson for her current career?
She exclaims, “Having a solid background in culinary arts has definitely prepared me for this journey I am walking through now. Many of the people I am learning alongside have never set foot in a professional kitchen, and soon we will be moving into our planned internships. Whereas many of my fellow classmates are troubled over working in the industry, I have previous, first-hand experience in all of the terms and equipment we are using, and I have the confidence to carry myself professionally and help others.”
Parkinson could not have done this alone. She gives credit to her parents and my dog (Fudge) who kept her going with much needed encouragement and hugs.
When she isn’t in the kitchen, Parkinson enjoys singing, music, knitting, reading, Muay Thai, and eating soup.
Her advice to current college students?
“Don't trap yourself by thinking you've chosen a path and you can never do/be anything else. Go after what you want, even if you change your mind sometimes. All experiences are good experiences, but not every experience is a good one. Take everything you do as an opportunity to learn,” says Parkinson.
She concludes with a quote from Oscar Wilde.
"We are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a thing - an actor, a writer - I am a person who does things - I write, I act - and I never know what I am going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun."
Jesse Somers
Jesse Somers, 37, of Latrobe, PA, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2006-2010 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Somers want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“After high school graduation, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. I came
to Westmoreland just trying to get a feel for what interested me. The advisors/counselors
I met with were able to give me a generic schedule with courses that fit into several
different majors. I was working full-time and just continued to take random courses
here and there. Before I knew it, I was on track to earn an associate degree in Liberal
Arts,” explains Somers.
While at the college, Somers earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts and most of his general elective courses were Psychology courses. After graduating, Somers visited PennWest California in the summer of 2010, where they were able to accept all 63 credits he completed at Westmoreland into their BA Psychology degree. Furthermore, he was able to continue at Westmoreland in the Fall of 2010 where he took another 12 credits. He transferred in 75 credits, which led him to complete his Bachelor's degree in 3 semesters. He then went on for his M.Ed in School Counseling at PennWest and graduated in 2014.
When looking back at his college days, his fondest memories were the staff.
“I have never encountered a more welcoming and helping environment anywhere else. Being a first-generation college student in my family, I really didn’t know what I was doing and I often asked a ton of questions from academics, financial aid, and ordering textbooks. I think the culture still holds true to this day,” states Somers.
Did Somers have a favorite instructor?
“I have had so many great instructors here at Westmoreland County Community College. I took a lot of evening courses at the Latrobe campus and Youngwood campus. Oftentimes, I would have adjunct instructors who taught at other local four- year schools. This always reinforced my thoughts on gaining a solid education,” explains Somers.
Now that he has graduated from Westmoreland, what is he up to now?
Somers states, “After graduating with my masters degree in 2014, I worked at Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center as a career pathways coordinator and teaching assistant. I then became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2018 and worked for an agency as a school-based therapist.”
“In the summer of 2019, I applied to Westmoreland County Community College and was hired as a counselor at the Latrobe Education Center. I continued working part-time at Westmoreland and doing school based therapy from 2019 until 2022. In the summer of 2022, I got hired full-time at Westmoreland as a TRIO Counselor. I also work part-time as a counselor/therapist at Innersight.”
Westmoreland prepared Somers for his current career by laying the foundation for him to enter a career in counseling. His education in psychology started at Westmoreland and he had great instructors that inspired him early on to achieve his goal.
Somers wouldn’t be where he is today without the ones who helped him out in his academic journey.
Jimmy Pirlo made a lasting impression during his admissions process at Westmoreland. Art Colagrande’s help in advising and counseling him early on in his endeavors has helped him in his endeavor. To this day, Art continues to be a close friend today. Dr. John Massella’s counseling and supervising at PennWest developed into a great friendship, as well. There have been so many that have helped him achieve his goals and even believed in him when he would doubt himself.
In his spare time, Somers likes fishing, classic cars, being outdoors and tinkering on anything and everything.
His advice to current college students?
“Have patience and enjoy the process. Accept the challenge and take in everything that you are facing,” says Somers.
Westmoreland robotics student, Katie Lynn, is the first female machinist at her company. Click here to read more about Katie and her story.
Click here to read a Tribune-Review article featuring Westmoreland alum, Victoria “V” Jennings.
Emily Beerbroer instructs culinary students at The “Culinary Corner Cafe” at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center.