Penn College News

'Kickoff' Event a Collaborative Effort

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

The fourth annual "Kickoff, Mix-Off, Send-Off," a celebration encouraging students to make good decisions regarding alcohol and other drugs, travel, and sexual behavior during Spring Break, will be held Feb. 28 at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The event, which will be offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Penn's Inn in the Bush Campus Center, is being funded by the College and Community Coalition's Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board grant and AAA North Penn.



The mixology contest to determine the best-tasting nonalcoholic drinks created by students in the School of Hospitality will be overseen by Fred Daniele, a part-time instructor of food and hospitality management/culinary arts who teaches a Wine and Beverage Management lab course at the college.

This year's contest judges from the community include Williamsport Mayor Mary B. Wolf and Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. Judges from the college include Jill S. Landesberg-Boyle, vice president for student affairs; Sharon Waters, director of counseling, career and disability services; Marc E. Bridgens, assistant dean of construction and design technologies; Paul E. Mach, assistant professor of food and hospitality management/culinary arts; and Leslie G. Caputo, custodial lead person.

Educational programming will be provided by Penn College Police, the Comprehensive Highway Safety Program, the YWCA's Wise Options program and the Penn College counselors.

Entertainment will be provided by the Wildcat Dance Team under the direction of Milissa Augustine. Michael S. DiPalma, a counselor at the college, will serve as master of ceremonies.

School of Hospitality students participating in this year's mixology competition are Bethanie R. Benner, Spring Mills; Tatia L. Blackwell, Lock Haven; David L. Davis, Kingston; Christopher R. Grove, Linden; Alex W. Hagemeyer, Ephrata; Jamie L. Haimaidi, Williamsport; James K. Hanjaras, Montrose; Braucht A. Hershberger, Jersey Shore; Andrea L. Kessel, Milton; Mandalena Kolovic, Coal Township; Adam J. Krasley, Spring City; Eric R. Lynch, Orangeville; Hannah E. Miles, Williamsport; Amanda R. Miller, Montgomery; Sarah D. Miller, Milton; Steven C. Pont, Portland, Conn.; Jessica M. Shiko, Berwick; Robert G. Steward, Williamsport; Rochelle A. Vitabile, Phoenixville; and Erin L.Weixel, Mill Hall.

The themed festivities will focus on Key West, Fla. Palm trees, tropical flowers and flamingos will abound. Partygoers will be treated to "cheeseburgers in paradise" and key lime pie. Students will get to sample the "Mix-Off" drinks and take home a recipe card from each entry. The cards will include important information for a safe and healthy Spring Break, which will take place March 5-12 at Penn College.