Neither the topic nor the role was anything new for Makenna; as a middle school student she founded Little Known Help Zone, a non-profit devoted to the fight for human rights for underrepresented groups in Central America. In February, she was honored for her work by being asked to give the keynote address at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference.
“I'm using my nonprofit experiences as kind of an example for what you can do to make students more passionate about learning and more passionate about starting global change,” Makenna says. “I want to get people ready to go and tackle the world's problems.”
Makenna says she chose Bryn Mawr because she knew she’d have a chance to focus on more than just what her career would be.
“Right now in high school,” Lenover explained, “they're always saying, ‘What career do you want to be? What career do you want to be?’ But they never focus on, ‘What do you want to do? How do you want to help the world? What impact do you want to make?’"
“Coming to Bryn Mawr, I knew I would be able to explore beyond just what occupation I want. With all the opportunities and the school's focus on hands-on-work and activism, I knew I could really explore my passions and collaborate with other inspirational people to learn how to make the impact I desire."
Makenna has started a Little Known Help Zone club at Bryn Mawr. The club just finished a preorder bake sale, and they’re planning a stress relief yoga fundraiser and raffle for the end of the semester.
Her summer plans include spending time at an archeological dig in Illinois, a trip to Central America, and a curatorial internship at a local historical society.
For more information about the club, contact Makenna at mlenover@brynmawr.edu.