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When the 17-year-old John Jay-East Fishkill High School senior isn't playing defensive stopper for her state champion Brewster Bulldogs ice hockey team, she's probably strutting her stuff on the runway during NYC Fashion Week.
Pedatella, of Hopewell Junction, has been playing ice hockey since she was eight, and was part of the Brewster Bulldogs' 2016 state championship team.
But there was always another desire in Pedatella's heart - to be a model. "Me and my sister used to have fashion shows whenever we went out and got new clothes," Pedatella told Daily Voice. "So it was always there."
Last February Pedatella - who, at 6-foot tall, has often heard she should model - got a chance to do just that. She got an audition and ended up booking four shows during New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Pedatella said, "A lot has taken off. I signed with my agency, Red, and was in a few fall fashion week shows as well."
How did it feel the first time she was on a New York City runway?
"It was awesome," she said. "The adrenalin rush. ... You're the only one on the runway and you know they're all looking at you. It's hard to explain.. it's a different feeling. Very exciting."
Pedatella and the Bulldogs, coached by Brianna's dad, Lou, are having another good season, and hope to be defending their state championship in March.
Meanwhile, Brianna is about to participate in her second NYC Fashion Week - which begins Feb. 17.
Pedatella will be attending Sacred Heart University in Fairfield to play Division I ice hockey in the fall, and hopes to continue her modeling as well.
"Hopefully I can keep modeling," she said. "It's a 45-minute train ride from there to NYC. And I would love to continue after college."
How much fun is Pedatella having?
"It's unreal," she said. "I never thought I could do two things so different. Everyone is so proud of me, and amazed that I'm doing both."
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