To the beat of his own drum

The Journey to Band

Mason’s involvement in music through band was a natural progression, rather than an unexpected surprise. “Mason has always, always loved drums. That’s been his thing,” said Alicia McRae, Mason’s mom.

He first became involved formally in music as a part of the Pioneer Middle School’s percussion section. His love of music was transformed after he began taking lessons, first with Blake Morell, a family friend, and then with senior Spencer Engel, using his extra percussion equipment.

“Every lesson he was really well focused and didn’t want to do anything but drum,” Engel said, referencing Mason’s earnest concentration when taking lessons.”

Alicia McRae’s close relationship with Engel’s mom fostered a strong environment for Mason to truly experience the Golden Apple Band under the guise of a dedicated member.

“He took band very seriously, from the beginning,” Alicia says.

It was Stacia McRae, Mason’s older sister, who first talked to James Kovach, director of the Golden Apple Band, about how to get her brother involved once he got to the high school. However, it wasn’t just Stacia who insisted that Mason get involved in some general education programs outside of his typical schedule. After seeing the profound impact that middle school band had on Mason, his family learned the importance of both the social and educational aspects that band provided. “You don’t educate people by keeping them in the same room all day,” Alicia said about the importance of Mason’s inclusion.

With the help of senior Isabel Howell, Mason’s best friend and front ensemble leader, Mason became one of the first GA band members with special needs.

“Working with Mason gives me inspiration,” Howell says.

As both a close friend and member of the band, she interacts with Mason on a daily basis and has noticed the changes within him.

“Being able to be in band… brings out what he can say. He was very limited his freshman year, but now it’s brought out such a personality in him,” Howell added.

This year Mason will be traveling to Yakima for his first competition. When asked how Mason interacts with the rigorous standards of band, Kovach agrees that there are some assessments that need to be modified, but doesn’t believe in drastically changing the curriculum for him.

“I don’t know if I am. I don’t think I’m doing anything differently.” Kovach said. In fact, it’s this attitude that both Howell and the McRae family insist is one of the best parts about Mason’s involvement; he isn’t treated separately from the other students.

“We were gonna really start out small, with just a little bit, and Mr. K was like, no I think we’re gonna start out with everything and take out what doesn’t work,” Alicia says.

Community Service

Feeding off of his success within the GA Band, Mason continues to get more involved throughout the school and the community. Last year, he was part of a program through United Way, spearheaded by Alicia, that enables students with special needs to get a varsity letter in community service. The program has a few modified requirements, due to parents accompanying their children during most activities — a practice that Mason’s family has embraced whole-heartedly.

With his family supporting him every step of the way, Mason gives back. He has plans to, along with Howell, create care packages with socks and other essentials to deliver to local homeless shelters during the holiday season.

When he’s not volunteering, Mason participates in basketball, bowling, an annual summer play in Leavenworth, and Interact Club. Out of all his secondary activities, it’s Unified Basketball that he is most passionate about. This team, comprised of volunteers and students with special needs, is a favorite of both students and players.

When asked about the role that Unified Basketball has played in Mason’s high school experience, Howell said the importance of victories that have nothing to do with Mason’s disability.

“It’s not ‘I have Down syndrome’, it’s ‘I’m doing well, and people are looking at me for that,’ which is really nice,” Howell says.

In his sophomore year, Mason has no intention of slowing down. He’s currently planning on holding the doors in the morning with ASB officers and joining Key Club.

An Advocate for Inclusivity

Mike and Alicia McRae believe that word “inclusive” is a much better alternative to “integration.” When someone is included, they are fully part of the whole group, whereas when a person is integrated, they don’t necessarily have to be part of the whole. This idea crosses over to students with special needs at WHS, and their education path.

“Inclusion should actually work backwards. You should start with being included and then work backwards to the times that you’re more successful being over here [self-contained],” Alicia McRae says.

This belief of inclusiveness hasn’t been shared by everyone in Mason’s lifetime, but the McRae family clarified that it is important for the parents to voice their opinions on important matters like this.

“It’s really important that parents advocate and continue advocating until they feel confident that their kids are getting what they need,” Alicia said. “There are always challenges to getting what your child needs, and there is often compromise.”  

However, the McRae family had nothing but positive things to say about their involvement in the GA Band.  It’s clear to anyone that talks to Mason and his family that their commitment to his success is unwavering.

In talking to Mason you’ll notice he’s always upbeat and excited. In an eager but serious manner, he demonstrates proper playing form and what it looks like to be “at attention.” Mason’s parents reflect that the true value of band is in the fact that Mason is not seen as having a disability, he is treated the same as anyone else.

“He’s a sibling, he’s a student, he’s a son, he’s a friend. He just happens to have Down syndrome,” Alicia says. “In band, they’ll look back and remember that there was this one kid in band that was just like everybody else.”