Originally a flavor scientist, Jill Waldon is a preschool teacher at the Mason Central Daycare where she cares for Mason City Schools’ staff’s children. She and her husband, Wade, are the parents of 6 Comets - three biological and three siblings they adopted from Haiti. She shares the trauma (and secondary trauma) that her family has experienced, and how therapy and their belief in God and their family heals.

90-year old Fred Stemmler is a legendary advocate for the Mason Comets. In the 1990's he founded the Senior Citizens Pep Club at the urging of Dr. Kevin Bright and Coach Gerry Lachey  - a move to help give more community support to the district's female athletes. A Mason Dad and Grandpa, he is a Korean War Veteran who spent four years flying missions in the P-80 Shooting Star - the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces. 

Following his time in the service, he became an engineer at GE Aviation and in 1960 bought a home in Mason - primarily because it had air conditioning! Fred is a dedicated community servant, and has been an instrumental member of Mason Kiwanis and the Mason Presbyterian Church. 

Mason Middle School Spanish teacher Ashley Palac is multilingual.  The daughter of Chinese immigrants, she speaks Mandarin, Spanish and English - and is trying to raise her bi-racial children (who share a birthday) to appreciate their cultural heritage.  Before teaching, Ashley spent 7 years in the Army Reserves; enlisting at the beginning of the Afghanistan War.  The mother of two nearly gave birth to her son at MMS- further proof that this mama is tough! 

Mason Dad Dave Charpentier is an entrepreneur and executive coach for Conscious Dynamics - a company he founded to help people and teams with their social and emotional intelligence. The former Army Ranger credits his military service for helping to shine a light on how different people can struggle with different workplace dynamics. David is the Commander of the local American Legion Post 194, an active volunteer in his children and step-children's schools, and a yoga instructor.

The Nichani family moved to Mason from Kentucky - primarily for the schools and the community’s rich diversity. Mili Nichani and son Ishaan recently shared their Diwali traditions with Ishaan's third grade classmates at Mason Elementary. Both Mili and Ishaan have grown up in the United States, and are proud of their Indian-American culture. 

Tracey Carson has led the district’s communication and connection efforts for 15 years as Mason City Schools Public Information Officer. As Mason’s lead for Big Rock 2: Inclusive Excellence, she shepherds the district’s work to deepen appreciation for diversity, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice. The mom and future mother-in-law of two MHS Class of 2014 graduates shares how being open to the opportunity that sometimes comes with a “shoulder shrug” has made a difference in her life.

Mason City Schools Innovative Systems Officer Christine McCormick leads the district’s efforts to ensure that our systems and technology keep the people - the user - at the heart of what we do. As Mason’s lead for Big Rock 1: Culture, she shepherds the district’s work to build an engaging, inclusive, and positive culture. The mother of three shares the pivots in her professional and personal life that made her understand the importance of being herself.

Mason High School Intervention Specialist Hakim Oliver has helped Mason students find their voice over the last 14 years.  After growing up in LA,  his family moved to Loveland, Ohio where he found that he loved school and wanted to be a teacher. Hakim is a member of the high school's Inclusive Excellence team, and has helped lead diversity and equity work at his church, Crossroads, and as an advisor for the MHS student group MIC (Mason Inclusion Club). 

Mason Early Childhood Center educational aide Fairy Shokohee has an optimism that buoys others' spirits. The native of Iran credits that attribute as one she admires in her biggest influence - her mother, whose glass half-full outlook is so strong she astounded medical staff by pulling through a difficult surgery.  A mother of a child with a learning disability, Fairy offers that her son taught her to be a better mom by giving her patience - a gift she uses with her students, too. She loves working at MECC, and says that being in a place where "inclusive excellence" is being lived out makes her feel less homesick. 

Mason High School senior Andrea Hefferan has found her voice - in Spanish and English. The bi-lingual managing editor of the high school’s nationally-recognized student newspaper, The Chronicle, expresses her creativity as a dancer with the regional group, Cincinnati Baila. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease as a Mason Intermediate School fourth grader, she underwent a major surgery her sophomore year, and has learned to appreciate the gift of health. A National Merit Semifinalist, she shares that she’s excited to see some of the shifts that are happening in Mason to help students move away from a culture of comparison and embrace self-care.