Kenney Alexandre is a junior Computer Science major from Spring Valley, New York. There isn’t much he’s not involved with, so chances are you’ll recognize him, be it from one of our many dance teams’ performances, last year’s Mr. Siena, last semester’s The Drowsy Chaperone, or something else.
Favorites:
Artist: John Legend, Justin Timberlake, J. Cole, Aaliyah, Michael Buble
Song: One Man Can Change the World by Big Sean and Ordinary People by John Legend
Movie: Space Jam
Professor/Class: Issues in Contemporary Education; Professor Robert Colesante
Dance Move: The Carlton, duh!
Quote: “Memories of our lives, of our works and of our deeds will continue in others.” – Rosa Parks
What are you involved in on and around campus?
If you can think of it, I’m probably involved in or around it: American Sign Language Club, Computer Science Club, ACE, the Entrepreneurship Club, HEOP/AOP, and Girl Scouts… anything that can make me a more versatile person, and exposes me to new people and personalities that I may not otherwise encounter.
Okay, I’ve gotta ask: Girl Scouts??
I got involved in that when I saw the table at club fair Sophomore Year. I signed up as a joke, kind of an, “I’ll be the one boy in Girl Scouts” thing, but I wound up loving it! I travel to North Albany Academy, and we have meetings once a week where I work with the 3rd-5th grade Brownies. We do things like play games, talk about interesting topics, and they usually tease me since I used to be the only boy.
I know you’re a member of at least one of the dance teams on campus – what do you do, and what do you like most about it?
Absolutely! I used to be on all five, but had a difficult time managing my time so I had to drop quite a few of them (that doesn’t make them any less awesome, though!). I’m currently in SOLID: Stepping on Line in Definition. To put it bluntly, we use our hands and feet to create rhythm and style that provides for great entertainment and fierce competition. I love the family feel I experience when interacting with the other members, and I find comfort in knowing that they give 110% every competition and performance, and I commit to doing the same (can I get a SOLID??!).
Note: This is not SOLID, but Hip Hop’s performance last Fall Fusion.
Last year you were a part of Mr. Siena, but do you have any involvement this year?
Oh yeah! My roommate and best friend, Erwin Premchan, competed for the crown last year and asked me, James Wise, Tim Reilly, and Wateek Jones to be involved in his act. It was a huge honor, and an amazing experience. I’ve also been helping Paolo Fiore and Tubo Akangbou with their material this year, and I have to say the competition this year is going to be phenomenal. I’m so excited to see it, and everyone else should be, also!
What about next year, do you think you might compete yourself?
You never know, maybe I’ll make an appearance on the stage next year!
Speaking of the stage, we saw you last semester in The Drowsy Chaperone – what was your experience like?
The Drowsy Chaperone was another great experience that adds to my list of reasons for being in the wrong major. I’ve danced prior to college, but had never ever tried acting, so it was a brand new experience for me. Remembering to stay in character when I wasn’t speaking, remembering what cues to enter or exit on, placing things where they belong… it was challenging, but it felt AMAZING when I flawlessly executed everything on our opening night. Hearing the roaring applause and seeing the other cast members barely contain their smiles was indescribable. I felt like Will Smith! The cast also felt like a family, and helped me with absolutely everything.
Any plans for acting again in the future?
Nah, I’m retired.
Going with the theme, I’ve recently heard about your venture into standup comedy…
I’ve done standup comedy only once, and that was freshman year. I’ve been asked to do it again, which was a great honor, and I’m hoping I’m funny enough to entertain everyone!
I’ve also recently been told about a certain nickname…
“The Haitian Sensation” is my entertainment persona. My father is of Haitian descent, and the people tend to be very dramatic (;P). I resort to using the Haitian Sensation when I lose all inhibition and purely commit to whatever action I’m doing. It’s the secret to my success (so far).
What is number one on your bucket list?
It’s a tie between marrying Shannon Bauer on the XC/Track Team and becoming a Siena Legend.
What has been your best experience at Siena?
That’s the craziest part; it’s all been absolutely amazing! Everything from dressing up as the mascot for a day to taking a picture with Mr. Batman, from hosting Fall Fusion to teaching the Thriller dance, from proposing to Jen Hogan to flirting with Jaime Marchetti, from dancing with KayPizzay to entertaining the tennis team, the list goes on and on. Every day at Siena is an adventure, a discovery, a love story, a new chapter. It feels like a place where new experiences and opportunities light my eyes up, and make me feel energized and motivated. I learn, I grow, I experience, I laugh, I ponder, I work, and I keep going. Waking up at 8 a.m. is no longer a horrible thing, and it’s all thanks to Siena College.
What piece of advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?
When you start college, you’ll underestimate how great of a place it will be. It obviously isn’t perfect, but it’s home, and it feels like a distant dream. Kenney, you will meet people of different backgrounds and personalities that make every day exciting. Embrace that hunger and desire to meet more people, learn new things, impact more lives, and for the love of God, learn to control the volume of that voice. People will comment. A lot.
Is there anything else you want everyone to know?
Yup! I graduate from this campus in a year. Although many years after I’m gone most won’t remember my name, I will always cherish the memories I’ve made and the people I’ve met. You soon will graduate and figure out the rest of your life, but you definitely WILL make it. Become famous, and I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish and proudly tell people I went to school with you. I don’t know the secret to how the school discovers such amazing people, but I hope they continue to do it. To all my homies and ladies, your name may not be mentioned in this article, but I will remember you, I love you, I WILL occasionally check in on you, and I will pray for you. Never forget who you are, never forget where you came from, and never forget why you started. I had a great time, champagne rained down from the sky, and I hope we can do it again sometime real soon.
Many thanks to Kenney for doing this interview in a super unconventional manner, and for providing some really awesome answers!