CHLA is excited to highlight the promise and diversity of ideas demonstrated by our scholarship recipients. While this article contains only four of our awards recipients, many of the qualities and ambitions embodied in these recipients are shared amongst the scholarship recipients.
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Kaitlyn Darling grew up in Castro Valley, CA and was inspired to pursue a career in the Hospitality Industry by her experiences planning high school events such as Prom and Homecoming. In her last year at USF, Kaitlyn is interning with a sales and marketing company, and will graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration, Hospitality Management and a minor in Social Justice and Jewish Studies. After graduation, Kaitlyn plans to become involved with hotel event or convention operations, which she hopes will put her one step closer to her dream of becoming a general manager.

Zoltán Koncz grew up cooking with his mother and grandma in Temecula, CA and quickly learned that he enjoyed providing others with memorable culinary experiences. Having studied hospitality management with an emphasis in food and beverage, Zoltán applied for the Voyage program and was placed with Marriott’s Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. After the completion of his program, Zoltán intends to continue working on the food and beverage side of the hospitality industry and is working towards his goal of becoming president of food and beverage operations for a hospitality brand. When Zoltán is not working, he can be found traveling and, occasionally, running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

Mateusz D. Pasierbek grew up in Warsaw, Poland before moving to the U.S. to study hospitality operations at Cypress College and later at California Polytechnic University, Pomona. Mateusz graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, Cum Laude and is now engaged in the Marriott Voyage Program at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami as a food and beverage manager in training. Following the completion of his program, Mateusz hopes to continue working with lodging brands, with the ultimate goal of becoming a regional director of operations either in the U.S. or abroad. In addition to his hospitality aspirations, Mateusz is also an avid photographer and his works can be found on his website: www.mattozerphotography.com.

Jenna Sekutera calls San Clemente, CA her hometown, and began her career in the hospitality industry as a wedding intern while attending high school. Having developed a passion for the industry, she is studying hospitality and tourism management with an emphasis in meeting and events operations. When Jenna is not in class or studying abroad (in Paris), she is learning and developing skills to become a well-rounded professional. Set to graduate in 2020, Jenna is putting in the hours and paving the way to her dream of becoming a director of meetings and incentives for an incentive travel agency.