Kutztown High School 2011 alumna Leanza Altenderfer was awarded the $10,000 Vince DeFinis National Scholarship by the National Association for Catering and Events in Chicago.
While at the NACE Experience! Conference, Altenderfer spoke to more than 700 industry professionals at the awards presentation event.
Daughter of Chuck and Ginny Altenderfer of Kutztown, she is a senior at the University of Central Florida, double majoring in event management and hospitality management.
Altenderfer has worked at Crowne Plaza Orlando Downtown, Mission Inn Resort and currently at Mobella Events. She completed an internship in events and group sales at The Baltimore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. She has also used her event planning skills as a member of the UCF Homecoming Executive Board the past two years, serving as Royalty Director.
Other scholarships she has received include the NEWH The Hospitality Industry Network Scholarship in 2013, Professional Convention Management Association Roy B. Evnas National Scholarship in 2012, the Tourism Cares National Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Harris Rosen Hospitality Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association Scholarship in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the UCF Knights Achievement Award Scholarship in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation Scholarship in 2011.
