Stockton- At just 17, Mackenzey “Mack” Bennett is full of young ambition. Handling the demands of Lincoln High School with shifts at David’s Pizza, this ambitious student is already setting her sights on a future in marine biology at Monterey Bay University.
Mack’s packed schedule leaves little room for downtime. Yet, she carves out precious moments for late-night hangouts with her close friends, Cassie, Sophie, and Lexy, which are essential sanity checks amidst her rigorous routine. Occasionally, she takes the opportunity to travel, taking days off work, which only helps fuel her desire to explore every country.
She’s already made significant strides toward this goal, traveling extensively within the United States, including all over California, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, and West Virginia. She’s also explored all of Washington and even ventured out of the US to Mexico. These experiences have only helped push her further to travel the world, a passion she plans to integrate into her marine biology career, which is a field that often requires global travel to study different life forms.
Mack’s job at David’s Pizza was the only place that accepted her application and offered her a position. While grateful for the opportunity, she’s encountered her share of bizarre customer interactions. One particularly memorable incident involved a woman who for some reason berated her over an extra-cheese pizza but that the pizza didn’t match the leftovers, to which Mack still doesn’t understand how those two things correlate to each other.
Balancing work and school is undoubtedly challenging. Mack works hard and tries to complete her assignments during school hours even going as far as to miss other school activities to work more. Thankfully, she doesn’t face significant family struggles, allowing her to focus on her demanding life. Despite all the pressure, Mack says that she is content with her current circumstances and is looking forward to the future she has planned.
When asked about her role models, Mack’s response included “Cassie, my dad, Steve Irwin, and your mom.” These people speak volumes about her values and aspirations, as well as the humor she brings to any situation. Like those she admires, Mack demonstrates resilience and determination, striving to maintain an equal balance between her academic and professional pursuits. Despite any struggles that may come her way, her unwavering focus on the future and her eagerness to graduate keep her pushing forward.
Perhaps the most telling response to Mack’s character comes from her stating that if given the chance, she’d transform into Steve Irwin. This answer highlights her adventurous spirit, deep respect for the natural world, and fearless approach to life. These qualities will undoubtedly serve her well in marine biology. While she also considered zoology, she ultimately chose marine biology, acknowledging its greater earning potential, and admitting she was “not built for that life” in the way Steve Irwin was, preferring to focus on marine life.
Mackenzey Bennett is more than just a student and a pizza maker; she’s a young woman with a clear vision, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering determination to make her dreams a reality.
