About Me
Adversity, they say, is an excellent teacher. That being true, Jacquelyn Ann Dienst is the Valordictorian of her class.”- Catherine Foster, Christian Event Organizer. Cathi Foster, Event Coordinator
Jacquelyn Ann Dienst is no stranger to the school of hard knocks. Yet her gutsy, never take no for an answer attitude, old school moral compass and amazing talent with words creates the perfect recipe for telling her family’s story and making it come to come to light. Trials and tribulations, aided by our crashing economy in 2009 could not keep this spunky lady down for long; taking strength in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in those around her. Jacquelyn bravely faced her fears and personal tragedy, doing everything she could to keep her family together, support her husband, and help everyone she could along the way. This lady, who humbly refuses to take all the credit, is a living testimony to the spirit of all Americans past and present; as our ancestors faced a new land, full of danger and opportunity for those who sought the adventure, with naught but the clothes on their back; so does Jacquelyn and the entire Dienst family possess the same fiery courage, while holding fast to their faith and letting nothing stand in their way of the future within their grasp.
Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Jacquelyn can call at least a dozen or so places home over her 41 years. Writing took hold early on in Jacquelyn’s life, as she learned how to battle a slight form of dyslexia and a speech issue in what has been dubbed a ‘coatroom classroom’. These tiny classes were instrumental to learning, and Mr. Tribolski, who ran the classes, encouraged his pupils to never give up. Jacquelyn was also anchored at an early age by her mother, the late Barbara Brennan Rivers, and her grandfather, the late Harold J. Brennan. These three influential people provided the backbone in Jacquelyn’s reach for the stars.
Harold J. Brennan encouraged his granddaughter’s desire to write, by giving the girl a blanket, pillow, pad of paper and a pen, to capture his boyhood, teenage and young adult stories, including his service in World War Two. Brennan also fueled her love for photography, was photographing his prize garden, and turned to discover the source of a clicking noise. He found his five year old granddaughter mimicking every move, stance and position with her toy camera. After making a great display of exclaiming over the pre-cut pictures, he then switched with the girl her camera for his brand new Minolta, saying ‘Let’s see what you can really do.” Her mother, Barbara, would listen to the stories, suggesting ways to write them and make the words her own. Barbara was an amateur writer, further fueling her daughter’s desire to write. The result? Professional quality pictures by the age of eight, and award winning essays by the age of nine. Jacquelyn’s influences also include: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Wilder Lane, Debbie Macomber and J.K. Rowling.
Jacquelyn is a happily married mom of three wonderful kids, ages 2, 5, and 14. She has been a part of many volunteer organizations, such as Students Against Substance Abuse (SASA), Students Against Drugs (SAD), various soup kitchens and a primary speaker for Second Step, a home for abused women who turn from victim to survivor. Fund raising activities include: a thousand Teddy Bears for the Salvation Army/victims of tornadoes in 1998; Liberty Elementary School Playground in 2000; Support for Troops in 2001; Diabetes Foundation in 2007; Family Day Benefit for the Dechat Family, 2007; Christ for Carnies 2009; and the Pocono Art Extravaganza for the Lake and Salem Community Library in 2010. Currently, 2011, Jacquelyn is attempting to gather resources from local church and charities, to present a basket to newborns and families in need, called the Baby Doll Ministry. She has also won several community service awards for her participation.
Jacquelyn holds an AS Degree in Video/Photography and Advertising, and has had both poetry and short stories published in various publications, including: Florida Christmas 1999-Volusia County; Connections Magazine, March, 2010. She has freelanced for the Wayne Independent-Oct 2009 to April 2010 as a photojournalist. She has also freelanced as a press release writer for a local advertising company in the Poconos, in 2010.
Jacquelyn Ann Dienst is no stranger to the school of hard knocks. Yet her gutsy, never take no for an answer attitude, old school moral compass and amazing talent with words creates the perfect recipe for telling her family’s story and making it come to come to light. Trials and tribulations, aided by our crashing economy in 2009 could not keep this spunky lady down for long; taking strength in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in those around her. Jacquelyn bravely faced her fears and personal tragedy, doing everything she could to keep her family together, support her husband, and help everyone she could along the way. This lady, who humbly refuses to take all the credit, is a living testimony to the spirit of all Americans past and present; as our ancestors faced a new land, full of danger and opportunity for those who sought the adventure, with naught but the clothes on their back; so does Jacquelyn and the entire Dienst family possess the same fiery courage, while holding fast to their faith and letting nothing stand in their way of the future within their grasp.
Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Jacquelyn can call at least a dozen or so places home over her 41 years. Writing took hold early on in Jacquelyn’s life, as she learned how to battle a slight form of dyslexia and a speech issue in what has been dubbed a ‘coatroom classroom’. These tiny classes were instrumental to learning, and Mr. Tribolski, who ran the classes, encouraged his pupils to never give up. Jacquelyn was also anchored at an early age by her mother, the late Barbara Brennan Rivers, and her grandfather, the late Harold J. Brennan. These three influential people provided the backbone in Jacquelyn’s reach for the stars.
Harold J. Brennan encouraged his granddaughter’s desire to write, by giving the girl a blanket, pillow, pad of paper and a pen, to capture his boyhood, teenage and young adult stories, including his service in World War Two. Brennan also fueled her love for photography, was photographing his prize garden, and turned to discover the source of a clicking noise. He found his five year old granddaughter mimicking every move, stance and position with her toy camera. After making a great display of exclaiming over the pre-cut pictures, he then switched with the girl her camera for his brand new Minolta, saying ‘Let’s see what you can really do.” Her mother, Barbara, would listen to the stories, suggesting ways to write them and make the words her own. Barbara was an amateur writer, further fueling her daughter’s desire to write. The result? Professional quality pictures by the age of eight, and award winning essays by the age of nine. Jacquelyn’s influences also include: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Wilder Lane, Debbie Macomber and J.K. Rowling.
Jacquelyn is a happily married mom of three wonderful kids, ages 2, 5, and 14. She has been a part of many volunteer organizations, such as Students Against Substance Abuse (SASA), Students Against Drugs (SAD), various soup kitchens and a primary speaker for Second Step, a home for abused women who turn from victim to survivor. Fund raising activities include: a thousand Teddy Bears for the Salvation Army/victims of tornadoes in 1998; Liberty Elementary School Playground in 2000; Support for Troops in 2001; Diabetes Foundation in 2007; Family Day Benefit for the Dechat Family, 2007; Christ for Carnies 2009; and the Pocono Art Extravaganza for the Lake and Salem Community Library in 2010. Currently, 2011, Jacquelyn is attempting to gather resources from local church and charities, to present a basket to newborns and families in need, called the Baby Doll Ministry. She has also won several community service awards for her participation.
Jacquelyn holds an AS Degree in Video/Photography and Advertising, and has had both poetry and short stories published in various publications, including: Florida Christmas 1999-Volusia County; Connections Magazine, March, 2010. She has freelanced for the Wayne Independent-Oct 2009 to April 2010 as a photojournalist. She has also freelanced as a press release writer for a local advertising company in the Poconos, in 2010.
