Creativity Beyond the Classroom with Mary Henen
Creativity often finds us in the most unexpected places and for Mary Henen, it showed up in her high school art class. A rising senior at Troy College and Career High School, Mary discovered her passion for crocheting a little less than six months ago while exploring different art mediums in class. What initially started as a new hobby instantly turned into a powerful creative outlet and, soon after, a small business built on her own handmade pieces. With determination, talent, and a fresh perspective, Mary is making her mark in the world of student entrepreneurship through creativity and craftsmanship.
Mary’s journey into the world of art didn’t begin with instant confidence. “I struggled with painting and drawing because I didn’t have the natural skill for them,” she shared. “But my art teacher, Mr. Kravako, saw something in me. He introduced me to crocheting, and it just clicked.”
That spark of curiosity quickly turned into a creative drive. Mary now crochets custom pieces, designs her own stuffed animals, and crafts colorful, personalized bracelets. “I love creating things that feel unique and bring a little joy to people — whether it’s a bracelet or a plushie someone can keep forever,” she said.
Her proudest creation so far? A green dragon. “It was my first piece that involved sewing as well, which made it a much bigger time commitment and pushed me outside of my comfort zone creatively,” Mary said. “Finishing it felt like a big step forward in my skills and confidence.”
While many students might stop at just exploring a hobby, Mary took it a step further—building a brand and sharing her work online. Through her TikTok account, @crochetbymarmar, she’s been able to connect with a growing audience and sell her handmade pieces. “I’m hoping to expand to Etsy and TikTok Shop soon, and possibly start using Instagram as well,” she added. “My goal is to reach a wider audience and build something that’s both creative and sustainable long-term.”
Mary’s school has played a key role in fueling her success. “I’ve been really supported by my school community, especially my art teacher,” she said. “He helped me enter my first two art shows—one at school and another at Open Air Fest hosted by the Creative Guild. That experience really gave me the confidence to share my work beyond the classroom and believe in my creativity.”
Mr. Kravako, who introduced Mary to crocheting, shared his admiration for her growth:
“Mary is a crafty and talented student with a bright future! I am fortunate that my kids own her earliest works. I am looking forward to working with her for the 2025–26 school year.”
She’s also taken advantage of school events like Arts, Beats, and Treats, where she partnered with a classmate who sells phone cases. “We shared a display and got to sell our products to teachers, classmates, and members of the community. Those kinds of events help student creators like me feel seen and supported.”
Balancing her small business with school, church, and her personal life hasn’t been easy—but Mary makes it work. “Between managing schoolwork, running my business, and being active at church around four days a week, I’ve learned how important it is to stay organized. I try to stick to a schedule that helps me stay on track and be productive while still making time for what I love and what grounds me.”
In her free time, she stays active with basketball, reading, and giving back to her church community. But no matter how busy life gets, creativity remains at the center of everything she does.
For any student thinking of building something of their own, Mary has simple but powerful advice: “Just go for it. There’s nothing to lose by trying something new, and you might discover amazing success by taking those risks. Don’t be afraid to start small—every big dream begins with a first step.”
With her vision, dedication, and heart for community, Mary Henen is a shining example of what’s possible when students are given the space to create, the support to grow, and the courage to believe in themselves.
Blog post written by Jayla Turner, Communications Intern.