It’s not every day that a student will make a decision that will change the course of their life, but that is exactly what happened when senior Mason Dey decided to attend Pioneer Academy. Mason is the Pioneer Academy student of the month.
Two years ago, Mason Dey decided he had had enough of his current situation with his friends and the school he was attending. Mason realized that his school wasn’t meeting his needs, and he was just going with the flow by staying where he was. He no longer felt like he was seen as an individual. After his sophomore year, he knew he needed a change, or he was going to go downhill quickly academically and emotionally.
When Mason learned about Pioneer, he decided to give it a try. And when he walked up to the small campus for the first time, he knew he had made the right decision. It didn’t take long for Mason to feel at home, and he says the change was a “breath of fresh air.” Mason said he was going through a tough time during this transition, and his teachers at Pioneer, particularly Mrs. Walker, saw through the facade he put up and helped him discover his true self and bring out his potential. By discovering his own imperfections and realizing he is surrounded by what he called other “not perfect people” gave Mason a desire to push himself academically and socially in a new direction. While taking WNC dual credit courses, Mason maintains straight A’s; however, he says the grades aren’t as important as the process to get there. He doesn’t want to be defined by the outcomes of his grades, but he understands the importance of achieving at his best, so he says he has to give his best.
Mason’s friends and teachers were very important to help him find his new path. His mother has also been a major influence of his success by showing him how to overcome difficult times and continuing to be a constant person in his life.
Mason is undecided about his future after high school, but he is planning to attend the University of Nevada Reno next fall. He says he is interested in becoming a teacher and wants to be a beacon of light for others like his teachers have been for him.
As a member of the speech and debate team and the National Honor Society and working a short time with student leadership, Mason has developed an appreciation to give back to his school. Before he graduates in June, he would like to do something to give back to Pioneer. We are proud of the dedicated work Mason has given and we look forward to his future success.
(By Cary Jordan, Pioneer Academy Counselor)