MHS Social Studies teacher Dan Broaddrick shares some of the trauma from his childhood, and the impact that had on his life and choices. As an adopted child, he struggled with his identity and issues of abandonment. His Christian faith and relationship with his wife, MHS math teacher Tina Broaddrick, helped him heal and find purpose in helping others. Dan and Tina are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, and are the proud parents of two children - a biological son, and a daughter originally from Ethiopia who they adopted.

Mason Intermediate fifth graders Chloe Zhang and Amy Wang share their experiences as first-generation Chinese-American girls growing up in Mason. The girls are excited about their Lunar New Year celebrations. (The Year of the Rat begins on January 25, 2020.)  Both girls look forward to receiving lucky "red pockets" which contain money, and eating lucky foods like dumplings. 

Mason Elementary School teacher Eryn Kramer is a energetic, enthusiastic, and joyful advocate for her students in the Social Communications and School Fundamentals Classroom. She shares that she has always had "big feelings" and that she often felt very average in school.  Growing up, some of Eryn's best friends had disabilities. Those friendships and connections shaped Eryn in profound ways and she believes she landed her "dream job" when she was hired in Mason in two years ago.  

When Charles Galvin was elected to the Board of Education in November 2017, he became the school board’s first millennial member.  He and his wife, Natalie, are the joyful (and sleepy!) parents of two future Comets under the age of 4. An avid believer in this year’s Mason #CommUNITY Read, Atomic Habits by James Clear, Charles has been working to intentionally build habits that ensure he’s present with his family. 

Sonia Milrod’s parents were among the 20,000 European Jews who survived the Holocaust by escaping to Shanghai, China. Sonia tells the amazing story of their very different journeys, and regularly shares their story at the Cincinnati Holocaust & Humanity Center, located in Union Terminal.

In the early 2000s, Sonia was an Assistant Superintendent in Mason City Schools where she helped launch our English as a Second Language program.  A 16-year resident of Mason, she retired last year from the Mayerson Academy after 48 years in education. 

Rachel Craddock is a Mason Mom of four whose own mother died of breast cancer while Rachel was in her teens. She shares her struggles with depression, anxiety, and a need to try to control her life - and how her Christian faith has been instrumental in seeing her through. As a carrier of the PALB2 gene mutation, last year her doctors told her she needed to have a double mastectomy - and she was forced to ask for help from a community and church that was ready to support. An author and preacher’s wife, last year she also released her book, Slowly Unraveled, where she shares how God has been slowly unraveling her story.

Doaa Jasim is the busy mom of five children - TWO sets of Comet twins and a preschooler. One of the founding Lunar Moms of Mason (a group of Muslim Moms), Doaa and the other Mason women have spear-headed several efforts to give back to the schools through the Mason Schools Foundation, hosting a CommUNITY Iftar sponsored by Diversity Council, and providing resources to Mason teachers. Doaa's commitment to giving back was inspired by her mother, the author of the "A Cup of Mint Tea" short story collections.  Doaa's mother and father came to the United States from Iraq in the 1980s and understand first-hand the impact that war has on children. Each year, Doaa's children ask their friends to donate what would have been their birthday presents to help orphans around the world.

Tamara Earl leads the district's Child Nutrition Department which serves over 25,000 meals a week - the largest restaurant in Warren County! For 20 years, she has worked diligently to ensure that Mason’s children are getting tasty, healthy meals at a great value - all while ensuring that the program is self-sustaining and doesn’t tap into any of the district’s general funds from the operating budget. A mother of three, working in Mason became an important second act for Earl. She appreciates that her coworkers have become like family - and have supported her through critical moments like when her granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer. 

Two years ago, Felix Santa Lopez and his family moved to Mason from Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. While nervous about leaving his home in the middle of his teens, Felix quickly began connecting with others. He thanks Spanish Teacher Rod Stewart as one of his very first friends. Felix received a perfect attendance award last year, is a recent recipient of the Kiwanis Making a Difference Award, and is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. 

In this week's #YourStoryMatters podcast, we thought we'd Press Pause for a moment & give thanks to some special people who have made a difference in our lives. Hear from Central Office staffers Jonathan Cooper, Theresa Bird, Todd Petrey, Jan Hill, Liz Maloney & Cynthia Stubenvoll and a couple of our youngest Comets - MCS Daycare students Gus Strudhoff & Ruby Distell.

Thank you, Mason Family. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!