Jessi Blanarik named managing editor of Centre County Gazette

STATE COLLEGE — The Centre County Gazette recently welcomed its new managing editor, Jessi Blanarik, a Centre County native.

“We’re excited to introduce Jessi Blanarik, our energetic new managing editor at the Centre County Gazette. With deep ties to our community and a passion for bringing stories to life, she is poised to lead us into a new era of journalism,” Barash Media General Manager Tiara Snare said. “Armed with a plethora of innovative ideas, she is set to infuse our paper with fresh perspectives, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of local news coverage. Join us in celebrating this exciting chapter with Jessi taking the lead.”

Originally from State College, Blanarik received her Bachelor of Arts in business management from Baldwin University in 2015. In 2016, she moved to Prague in the Czech Republic to teach English and transitioned into working as a travel writer while living in Europe, Southeast Asia and South America.

Blanarik began to explore her passion for wine during the pandemic and became certified as a sommelier. In order to combine her experience as a travel writer and her love for wine, she obtained her master’s in wine tourism and sustainability from Universitat Rovira I Vigili, the University of Bordeaux and the University of Porto in 2023.

“I have been very lucky over the last few years to live in some of the most beautiful countries around the world, but home to me has always been State College,” Blanarik explained. “I’m excited to return back to the community that played such a significant role in shaping me into the person I am today and I look forward to sharing the stories behind the people who make Centre County so special.”

Growing up in Centre County and graduating from State College High School have made Happy Valley particularly special to Blanarik, she said. She looks forward to becoming even more immersed in the community while providing quality local news.

In her free time, Blanarik enjoys trying new restaurants and wineries, reading and spending time at Schlow Centre Region Library and hiking as she trains to hike the West Highland Highway in Scotland.

Blanarik will be taking over as managing editor after unexpected circumstances caused transitions in the Gazette’s leadership.

Snare extended gratitude to the interim editor, Danielle Blake, for her dedication in keeping the Centre County Gazette running smoothly during the transitional period. “Her hard work and commitment have been invaluable, ensuring that our readers continued to receive quality news coverage,” Snare said.