McNeese State University prepares students to turn passion into purpose. For Trinity Paige Anderson and Drew Brown, that preparation opened doors to careers in culinary arts and law school. Built on academic rigor, hands-on experience, and scholarship support, their McNeese education led Trinity Paige to the Louisiana Culinary Institute and Drew to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law School where both are pursuing meaningful, professional paths in Louisiana.
Trinity Paige Anderson
When Trinity Paige Anderson left McNeese State University with her business degree in 2022, she knew her heart was pulling her toward the kitchen. A lifelong passion for cooking sparked when she was just seven years old, stirring rice with her grandmother. That lifelong passion led her to enroll at the Louisiana Culinary Institute. There, she completed not one, but two degrees: culinary arts and baking and pastry arts.
Her time at culinary school was more than just recipes and techniques. Trinity Paige found a mentor in one of her chefs, a Breaux Bridge native
who taught Cajun and Creole cooking and encouraged her to think bigger. He eventually offered her a position with a sister company of the school, Bacon and Fig Catering. Though she initially resisted staying in Baton Rouge, Trinity Paige accepted the opportunity and quickly proved her skills. She started as a pastry chef before being promoted to operations management and is now the catering and events manager.
The role is as high-stakes as it is rewarding. Trinity Paige oversees weddings, private events, and large-scale functions, including catering for the governor’s mansion and LSU athletics. At every LSU home game, Trinity Paige oversees catering for VIP and Turnkey tailgates. From staffing to service, she ensures each detail runs seamlessly across multiple events. “Some weekends, I’m responsible for managing up to 60 people and feeding as many as 4,000 guests,” she explained. “It can be overwhelming, but it’s also incredible to be part of something so big.”
Trinity Paige credits her McNeese education and scholarships with helping her reach this point. As a John McNeese Scholarship recipient and a recipient of scholarships from Rebecca Boniol, she graduated without student debt, giving her the freedom to pursue culinary school with confidence. “The financial support I received at McNeese didn’t just help me there, it carried over and gave me a foundation to start this next chapter,” she said. Boniol also became a mentor, staying in touch as Trinity Paige transitioned from business student to Baton Rouge professional. “She has always believed in me, and that makes a difference.”
Though she once thought she would return home to Longville after culinary school, Trinity Paige now embraces the doors that have opened in Baton Rouge. From serving meals at the governor’s mansion to planning a wedding for a Louisiana senator’s daughter, she’s experienced moments she never imagined growing up in a small town. “I swore I wouldn’t stay here, but now I can’t imagine leaving,” she admitted with a smile. “I love what I do, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Drew Brown
For Drew Brown, the dream of becoming an attorney has been a guiding force since childhood. Growing up in DeRidder, he saw how attorneys
could step into difficult situations and provide clarity, stability, and hope. That lasting impression sparked a deep respect for the legal profession and set him on a path he never wavered from. “I’ve always admired how attorneys help people through some of life’s toughest challenges,” Drew said.
At McNeese, Drew double-majored in criminal justice and political science with a concentration in pre-law, preparing for the leap he knew he would one day take. Along the way, he gained experience as a law firm runner and later as a secretary at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, where he eventually advanced to the juvenile division. Politics, too, became part of his journey. During his senior year, he worked full-time on campaigns, building a wide network of attorneys and public servants who encouraged him as he prepared for law school.
Now in his first year at LSU Law, Drew hopes to pursue plaintiff law, helping people who have been injured or wronged, though corporate litigation and tax law also pique his interest. No matter the field, his vision remains rooted in Louisiana. “I would hate to leave,” he said. “So many people here cared about me and propelled me toward success. It wouldn’t feel right to take all that support and move away.”
Drew credits much of his progress to scholarship support like the Benjamin W. Mount Memorial Scholarship at McNeese and the LSU Board of Supervisors Scholarship. He also acknowledges encouragement from LSU Board of Supervisors member and McNeese supporter Rebecca Boniol. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Ms. Rebecca,” he said. “She isn’t just generous; she’s invested. She pushes us to go above and beyond, to make good on everyone who’s helped us along the way.” With that motivation, Drew is determined not just to practice law, but to embody the same spirit of service that inspired him as a child.
Article written by: Madison Shuff
