This week, The Grenada Star spotlights Brooke Mallette of Grenada.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Indianola on May 14, 1992.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to Holmes Community College.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: I have lived in Greenwood and Grenada.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I work at 20/20 Eye Care as one of the certified paraoptometric technician assistants.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I was working a lot of nights at the Kennel Club as a bartender and waitress, and I had been for many years and loved my job, but I was ready for daytime hours. I put in my application here and they called me wanting me to come work. That was three and a half years ago.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love the people. I love our patients. I see a lot of routine patients, but they impact me each in their own way, and if it’s three months or six months or even a year, I remember my patients. They are just kind and funny people and they always make my job so much fun. They brighten my day. I love my work family. We have a great group here and our bosses are so easy to work for. This really is an overall great environment. We take care of each other.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I used to do a lot of babysitting when I first started working.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: I would have to say my grandfather, Tony Browning Sr. I called him “Pops.” I admired his and my grandmother’s marriage. Their marriage showed me how to be loyal, how to nurture and care for one another and just their wonderful partnership. He showed me what love was really about.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does he do for a living?
A: Al Perry is my fiancé. We are getting married in October. He is the shop manager for McCoy’s Tires.
Q: Do you have any children?
A:We have one son, Alvin Morris Perry III. We call him Tripp.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Oh, pizza no doubt. I could eat pizza seven nights a week.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would have to say Italy.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Any time spent with Tripp is an adventure. I love making memories with him. We always have the best time doing whatever we want. I know that he won’t remember a lot of this, but I will. I don’t tell this to everyone, I like to keep this in the closet, but I love to sing and play the guitar.
Q: What do you enjoy about living and working in Grenada?
A: When I left Greenwood, I came here because it was far enough away like I felt like I was far gone, but I was still able to get home if I needed too. The people here were so welcoming when I moved here. I came here knowing no one and I was so welcomed by everyone I met, that it made it easy to make this my new home.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My Mimi. I was 19 when she passed away and her dream was to have a grandson. All she had was granddaughters and I would just love a lunch date with her for her to be able to meet her first grandson, Tripp. She would just be so excited.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: I am a movie buff. I love a good book, but I love movies.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: I would have to say becoming a mom. There is no greater feeling than this. I do everything I do for him. Becoming a mom really changed me as a person.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: I would love to ride an elephant. They have safari tours that you can take on an elephant. I think they are just absolutely beautiful animals.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Loyal. Giver. Resilient.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I want to be remembered as the girl who cared, who gave, and who always tried. I want to be remembered as the girl that showed up, and who was a good person and who was always there for you.
~ By Mandy Ayers
