BEACON FALLS — From crocheting to dog training, Brenna Maklary is the one to call. Despite the 2020 pandemic shutdown, Maklary continued to venture out and try new hobbies.
“I always loved dogs when I was little, but when I got older, I wanted to train rescue dogs and give them a home,” said Maklary, a junior at Nonnewaug. “It takes a lot of patience to train dogs. I will pursue it in the future, but it will only be part-time, but I would love to become a vet tech full-time.”
Since she started training dogs, it gave her a change of perspective for the future. She still wants to pursue dog training as a side job, but her main goal is to become a vet tech so she can help individuals and their companions.
During the pandemic, Maklary also discovered her passion for crocheting. What she didn’t know is that that one hobby would evolve into something she’s never imagined.
“I started crocheting as a side hobby, but once I saw people’s faces light up, it changed the game for me,” said Maklary. “I just love seeing people happy when I hand them my work.”
As her hobby grew, Maklary thrived off of the happiness her projects brought to people. The joy she saw in her customers is what motivated her to keep going.
“She’s always willing to help other people, not just me and [co-instructor of Farm to Table] John Dominello,” said NHS aquaculture instructor Leanne Golembeski. “She’s also extremely willing to help other peers, regardless whatever the task is. It could be something extremely fun or it could be something more tedious.”
Along with her extraordinary work ethic and creativity, Maklary’s bubbly and selfless personality certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. She’s the one to stand out in the room with her presence.
“When she’s not in class, it upsets me because she’s not gonna make me laugh and the class will feel empty,” says junior Olivia Bernardi. “She is so smart and always pays attention no matter what. I don’t know how she does it.”
“Brenna is always very willing to do whatever work is necessary to help the class reach that goal for that day,” Golembeski adds. “Brenna is willing to learn something new; she’s never afraid to go outside her comfort zone to expand her knowledge.”
Within her time at Nonnewaug, Maklary also developed an interest in horticulture. She enjoys making wreaths and arrangements to sell and bring home to her family for the holidays and throughout the year.
“Another passion of mine is working with plants,” said Maklary. “My uncle has a business with plants. That’s what made me interested in horticulture.”
Taking what she learns in school, Maklary plans to take a step farther within the horticulture industry,
“[NHS horticulture instructor] Eric Birkenberger has taught me a lot with the plant industry,” Maklary said. “I could help my uncle in the future with his plant business, and maybe even in the future I can start my own, alongside my hobbies.”
Nearing the end of her junior year, Maklary plans to continue her avocations into her senior year and beyond, in hopes it will continue bringing smiles to people’s faces.
