Tell us about yourself (name, education, work experience, hobbies, etc.)
My name is Jennifer Valente and I am a 2012 Bloomfield High School graduate and 2016 Seton Hall University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Television Production and Journalism. I worked in Manhattan for 5 years until COVID hit in 2020, and I have been working from home ever since. I currently work for a medical communications agency specializing in pharmaceutical promotion (it’s actually more exciting than it sounds! ) On my spare time, I LOVE to cook, travel, and spend time with family and friends. Hosting parties is kind of my thing, and I make a tremendous cold antipasto. I also love caring for my four pet sugar gliders! (If you don’t know what those are, feel free to ask about them!) Last but certainly not least, I am also recently engaged to my amazing fiancé and we have a date set for Sept 30, 2022 in Aruba!
Tell us about your Italian Ancestry.
Growing up in an Italian-American household, I have had Italian pride since a very young age. I distinctly remember wearing a “100% Italian” t-shirt to school every week in the 2nd grade until my mom told me it was finally time to retire it. Although I am a third generation American, my grandmother passed down to me everything her Sicilian mother taught her, from cooking, to music, and everything in between. My fiancé and I also plan to raise our kids some day with that same pride we both had as children!
What made you want to get involved with Bloomfield UNICO?
I decided to join Bloomfield UNICO in 2019 while searching for an Italian-American organization to get involved in. At the time, I knew of UNICO National, but had no idea that Bloomfield has its own chapter. After speaking with Tina for the first time, she informed me that if I decided to join, I would be the chapter’s very first YOUTH member! (I was 25 at the time so I just missed the cut-off.) Since then, I have gotten involved in several committees and functions. I especially love working with the interns and being part of the Scholarship Committee as it really makes me feel I am giving back to my community. I’ve also had the honor of presenting the BHS awards for 2 years in a row now.
