On Wednesday, March 29, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau teamed up with 3 Dots Downtown and the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) to host “Wonder Women of Hospitality,” an event that highlighted women who live and breathe Happy Valley Hospitality in the downtown State College community.

The event was catered by Elaine Meder-Wilgus, owner of Webster’s Bookstore and Café, who created a menu inspired by favorite cuisine of selected notable women in history. Music was provided by DJ Elbow Knee Knee, who played all women artists. The event featured five recipients of a Wonder Woman award, which included Ady Martinez, owner of Juana’s; Ellen Braun, manager at Chumley’s; Becky Burger, general manager at Allen Street Grill;Hunter Porcano, brewer assistant at Antifragile Brewing; and Kristina Goldhorn, server at The Corner Room. During the presentation, each honoree talked about their role in local hospitality, and why they love it.

Ady Martinez is originally from Venezuela, and moved here and opened Juana’s on 129 S. Fraser Street “I love people,” she said. “I love everything about working with people. I do my job because I love my job.” Martinez said that her grandparents inspire her to do what she does. “My grandfather was an amazing community person,”Martinez stated . “He taught me everything about the value of all people and the importance of every person. I think, because of him, I aspire to be so caring towards others. And my grandmother encouraged me to share. Share food, share love, share everything. She taught me everything.”

Ellen Braun, manager at Chumley’s stated in her on-stage interview that she strives to “embrace her awkwardness” and use it towards bettering her hospitality skills. Braun describes that her favorite part about her hospitality role is “making State College a destination for adults rather than an identity that's second to Penn State, and cultivating diversity in a shared space.”

Becky Burger, general manager at Allen Street Grill, is called “Mama Bear” by her staff because of the love she gives to all of her employees and sticking up for her employees in tough situations. When asked why she loves hospitality, Burger stated “I love people, I love the business, I love good food and good drinks, and being able to put it all together into a beautiful package that everyone can enjoy … there’s really nothing better.”

Hunter Porcano, brewer assistant at Antifragile Brewing is an engineering student at Penn State. One thing she loves about working at Antifragile Brewing is being able to interact closely with guests, because she doesn’t see that much in the classroom. “It really opened my eyes to how much I love working with people,” Porcano stated . “I really love the brewing industry in general. There’s a lot of fun vibes, a lot of great people, and I think as I am looking into future careers, I really want to continue on this path of working and interacting with people – and honestly, I may go into the brewing industry!”

Kristina Goldhorn, server at The Corner Room, states that she feels The Corner Room is State College’s past, present and future. “The regular customers that come in are students, teachers, football fans, tourists, business men and women just passing through town for conferences and visiting The Corner Room because it’s a regular staple for State College,” Goldhorn said. “I get to meet the most amazing people and hear the most amazing stories and really get involved with a small part of everybody’s experience in State College at one point or another.”

Each recipient was gifted their own Wonder Woman cape and a rose for all of their amazing work in Happy Valley. Recipients were celebrated the rest of the night with great food and drinks, music, and mingling with the community.