MASON PRINCE, a 2011 graduate of Richmond's Hermitage High School, is the recipient of
the 3rd annual PFLAG Richmond scholarship. Created to encourage activism for and within the
local and regional LGBTI community, this award has found a model in Mason.
Mason's extracurricular activities include: Color Guard; Art Club; Psychology Society;
Gay- Straight Alliance; and Independent Art student. In addition, he's been named Best Marcher,
Best of Flag Line, and Most Charismatic during band. An honor student, Mason was also
recognized as the volunteer team leader.
Involvement in the broader community on Mason's part is abundant,including service to ROSMY
(especially the group's YEL program), GCCR, The Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer's Association,
VA Pride and the Va. Vegetarian Association.
Here is a portion of the essay he wrote in applying for our scholarship ~
" - - - I have not always lived in Richmond, Virginia. I first came here . . . after the sudden death
of my mother to live with my aunt. Upon arrival I was the new kid on the block. Everyone was
curious and wanted to know me because of an aspect of my appearance. I had this haircut that
covered my eyes completely. For some reason it made my personality seem almost impenetrable.
I went all through my eighth grade year with this mystery. Once I got into high school that image
broke. I was still eagerly sought for but my mystery was cut clean of view by one person. This
person is my closest friend. We got to know each other almost completely. One day he came up
to me and said he was gay. I told him that I would love him even if he told me he killed hamsters
when he was little. I told him just because you like guys it doesn't mean that you are any different
than any other person. We began to grow even further and I came to the realization that I was
gay, too. This wasn't the first time that I thought I was. In middle school while I lived in Waynesboro
I was out to the community as being bisexual. I really should have been out as undetermined or questioning. I left and went on to start a new life in Richmond. I had a clean slate to run off of
and I started with being straight, taking on high level courses,and making new friends. The only
thing that has changed or was altered was my idea of being straight. I started questioning myself
and lost interest in everything. I started hating all gay people except for John. I prayed to God
every day asking to be changed so that I could be normal. After a long time of hate and abuse
toward myself I had an epiphany. God won't change me! He would not take action because there
was nothing wrong with me. I spoke to my best friend about it. He accepted me just as graciously
as I did with him. I came out in my school and I was finally happy. This gateway is what started my
trial into becoming a greater and much more effluent activist in the LGBTQI community. . . .
It is amazing to me how just one little pop of an epiphany can help a person. I could never have
done all of this either if I wasn't inspired by my best friend John. He has made my ambition blossom
and I feel the potential to grow is still in me for the future. I want to go into college majoring in psychology and a minor in criminology. My aspiring goal is to become a forensic pathologist. After
a career in the FBI when I settle down I want to get my doctorate in psychology so I can start up
my own counseling business and when I feel accomplished with that I want to go on to social
working. I know that many of those children on the streets now are mostly those with mental
disabilities and those who were forced out by their guardians because of distinguishing features
relating to their sexual preference or lifestyle."
Congratulations to Mason ~ best wishes for the success you dream about for your life!
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