“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.

“Despite having many other extracurricular activities and commitments, Mason has always been involved with NASA and moving our group towards more involvement and visibility within the school. He has really stepped up this year trying to recruit more members and plan meaningful opportunities for participants,” Tom said.

Mason’s extracurricular activities have affected his availability earlier in the school year, but he has been able to step up and become more involved than ever before.

“Mason being my co-leader has been really great actually. At the beginning of the year he wasn’t there as much because he had a ton of other clubs which was respectable. But now that he is kind if full time in our club is amazing. If I ever need someone to like help with major things he’s always there,” Peterson said.

Mason plans to continue growing and improving, and he hopes that he can take a step forward and be the one that always makes himself involved first.

“I think one of my main goals is I want to continue expanding, and I think what our main goal is preserving the heart of NASA, which is just this family that we have. And I think if we’re able to preserve that, but also expand and continue raising awareness, that would be great,” Mason said.

Pull Quote: “I think one of my main goals is I want to continue expanding, and I think what our main goal is preserving the heart of NASA, which is just this family that we have. And I think if we’re able to preserve that, but also expand and continue raising awareness, that would be great,” Mason said.

NASA transpires to spread awareness

Native American student Alliance club brings awareness to diversity

NASA Rover challenge brings students together

• Cheyenne Peterson
• COVID-19
• Joanna Tom
• Mason Borchardt
• NAPAC
• NASA
• Native America
• Native American
• Native American Parent Advisory Committee
• Native American Student Alliance
• Native American students
• Native Americans
• Native culture