May Students of the Month

KAYSVILLE, UT – Each month, Davis Applied Technology College (DATC), a UCAT campus, nominates two students for their exemplary efforts at school, work and life. This month, KC Loosemore from the Culinary Arts program and Krissy Mason from the Pharmacy Technician program were selected.

KC Loosemore
Culinary Arts

Kristopher Loosemore, or KC, grew up around his father, who he says is “the best short order cook in Utah,” and taught him a love of cooking that has driven his desire for a profession in culinary arts. “I like taking something raw and miniscule and making it into something awesome. I especially love seeing people’s faces when they eat what I’ve created.”

Because he has such a passion for food, KC took several courses in culinary arts while he was in high school. By the time he had graduated last year, KC already competed in several cooking contests and made a decision that he would continue his education. This thrilled his parents because KC is the first of his brothers to graduate from high school and pursue a college education.

KC enrolled at Davis Applied Technology College in the Culinary Arts program soon after graduating from Northridge High School last year. Having only been in the program a short time, KC will be finishing up his education at DATC next month. His instructor, Penny Moline says, “KC has only been in the program 6 months and has already taken first place in the region for SkillsUSA. He is dedicated, takes direction well, is a quick learner and has such a passion for cooking. KC is someone who will go far in the culinary field. It is going to be a pleasure to watch him succeed!”

Even though KC has received several job offers, including a sous chef position and a culinary position at Grand America, KC plans to work at Lagoon during the summer to manage its catering department, and then pursue his dream of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the field in the fall. “Lagoon gave me a scholarship to further my education and now I’ve just got to decide where to go.”

Once he completes his education, KC would like his own restaurant. He says, “I would like to open a fusion restaurant to have a mix of cooking and chemistry. That would allow me to be as creative as I want. I could make cotton candy out of a rack of lamb or a balloon out of mozzarella cheese.”

Krissy Mason
Pharmacy Technician

Krissy Mason has a deep love for people. Each job she has held has been working to serve others. But Krissy says she doesn’t work for the money; she works to connect with people. She is currently employed as a waitress and enjoys the relationships she has established throughout the years she has been working. “I love being able to see all my customers and build a bond with them.”

When Krissy decided to go back to school, she looked at positions where she could still provide a service. She explored both a career in nursing and one as a pharmacy technician, but after talking with a pharmacist and becoming more and more interested in the pharmaceutical field, Krissy decided to give the pharmacy technician route a try and enrolled at Davis Applied Technology College.

Traci Tonhofer, Krissy’s Pharmacy Technician instructor, says “Krissy has overcome many struggles to get her to
where she is today. She is an excellent student with great potential. She is also welcoming to new students in the classroom and always has a smile. I would trust Krissy with any medication need.” Krissy feels fortunate to have the support of her instructor. In fact, Traci provided her internship opportunities that have resulted in a permanent position with Tanner Clinic Pharmacy. “I have learned things that other technicians don’t know. It has been a wonderful program.”

Obtaining an education hasn’t been easy, but Krissy is grateful to her husband and three children for their support. “Now that I’m in internships, going to school, and working, my kids are having fun making their own meals and staying up later than usual because our whole routine is off. I’m so grateful, though, because my husband is totally supportive of me. In fact, he’s the one that pushed me to going back to school even though I was so scared. But now, I just love going to school. I absolutely love it!”

Krissy is thrilled that the work she is doing is helping others. “Being a pharmacy technician keeps me connected to people and I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”

About Davis Applied Technology College:
Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) is one of eight campuses of the Utah College of Applied Technology, and is located just north of Salt Lake City, Utah. DATC provides training in an open-entry, open-exit environment which annually prepares over 7,400 high school and adult students with career and technical skills. DATC currently offers certificate programs in the Schools of Business, Construction, Health Professions, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Service Professions and Transportation. The College is committed to quality education and dedicated to its philosophy of "We Change Lives." For more information, visit www.datc.edu or contact James Larson at james.larson@datc.edu or 801-593-2483.

About UCAT:
UCAT is the parent organization for Utah’s eight regional applied technology colleges (ATCs). Established by the State of Utah, UCAT provides market-drive technical education through eight ATCs that meets the needs of Utah’s employers for skilled workers. The ATCs prepare both adult and high school students to enter or advance in the workplace. Customized training is also provided to employers for their work force through UCAT’s Custom Fit program. The eight ATCs are Bridgerland, Davis, Dixie, Mountainland, Ogden/Weber, Southwest, Tooele, and Uintah Basin. For more information, visit www.ucat.edu or contact Jared Haines at 801-955-2172 or 801-361-0631.