“As co-present and as a leader, I try to be the one that always makes myself involved first,” junior Mason Borchardt explained.

Mason is one of the co-presidents for NASA, the Native American Student Alliance. He earned his title this year, taking leadership and responsibility for the club and its members.

Besides NASA, Mason has been involved with the Native American Parent Advisory Committee for over 6 years. It is an organization that works directly with the school district to identify and amplify Native students’ culture and voices. Once Mason got into his freshman year, he joined NASA.

When COVID-19 hit, only three students contributed to the club, but Mason continued to stay active and was determined to spread Native culture.

He “naturally took up a leadership position,” Mason said, which led him to co-presidency along with senior Cheyenne Peterson.

Last year, even during distance learning, Mason helped plan and arrange the honoring ceremony that NASA and NAPAC hosted for graduating Indigenous students NASA advisor Joanna Tom said.

His prior relationship with Tom for being a part of NAPAC also helped him rise to his co-presidency title.

“Mason was involved with NAPAC when he was younger because his dad was a founding member, so when he came to SAHS in 9th grade, he and I already had a good relationship,” Tom said.

Not only has NASA given Mason a chance to take responsibility, but has also given him an opportunity to spread awareness on Native American issues, appreciate Native culture, and create meaningful relationships along the way.

“I love the people, I really do. We really are just kind of soul friends and that’s really, really sweet,” Mason explained as he described his favorite part of being involved with NASA.

Even though Mason already manages many things from school to extracurricular, he always makes sure to keep NASA on its feet. His touch to the club has opened a whole new door to the possibilities of change and awareness.