Introducing Our Third Winner for 2024 - Mason Jensen.
On a wet and blustery, washed out Wings over Wairarapa late last year, we met Mason as we promoted the Scholarship. He was a volunteer for the weekend; and he was very keen to speak to us. We didn’t know it at the time as he didn’t talk much about himself, but he is a young man pulling himself up by his bootstraps to make a better life for himself and his devoted parents.
Not to mention that he is aviation mad and has been focused on being a pilot since primary school. He is also a master of mountain biking and teaches others through a programme run by Wainuiomata High School to help kids turn their lives around.
Mason knows he’s onto a good thing.
Mason and his twin sister were born to a drug addicted mother. At six months old they were taken to hospital suffering from malnutrition and neglect. They had both been beaten to within an inch of their lives. They remained in hospital for two weeks, needing wide ranging care and treatment before they were stable enough to be released into foster care.
After many years going through the courts, Mason and his sister were permanently placed with their foster parents. Over the years, Mason has lived with up to 7 children at a time as his parents have fostered over 50 babies and toddlers.
The family have little wealth or possessions, other than fostering allowances (that are incredibly hard and frustrating to claim). As Mum cares for vulnerable small children, Dad is the only income earner and he is a forklift mechanic. He is still working at 69 to support the family.
Mason’s parents are very proud of him. He’s quite laid back but is fired up about his passions for mountain biking and aviation. He makes the most of opportunities and is dead set on becoming an airline pilot. He is completely aware of the financial challenges ahead.
Mason does exceptionally well with subjects that captures his attention – such as maths and other STEM subjects. He recently attended the Rotary Science Forum hosted by all the Auckland Universities, including Massey University. He impressed a professor of Chemistry, to such an extent that she wrote a reference for him for this Scholarship noting his ‘extensive knowledge of fundamental chemistry’.
Mason is a house leader at Wainuiomata High School (decile 3) and is well on his way to passing his last year with excellence in most subjects. He is well liked amongst his peers and the teaching fraternity. His principal told us he has been a peer mentor to the junior school for the last two years and has been a sports Ambassador for the last three years.
To raise funds for his flight training, Mason has a part time role in the meat department at his local supermarket. He uses his income to be as self sufficient as possible (to help with family finances) as well as saving up for flight lessons.
Mason has an extensive list of community involvement positions including:-
• School Mountain bike Group Leader,
• House Prefect
• Wings Over Wairarapa Volunteer,
• Form Class Leader,
• School Council Member,
• Guest speaker at the Petone Rotary Club forum hosted by all the Auckland universities.
• Wellington Model United Nations High School Ambassador
He clearly leads a busy and devoted life of service to others as well as part time work and his enormous commute to complete flight lessons.
Mason has always been fascinated by aviation and before he started at intermediate school, he had crystallised his thoughts into the direction of wishing to become an airline pilot. Considering his lowly beginnings in life and living in a family with little in the way of economic security, he doesn’t see this as an obstacle, just extra steps to take in his path to the left seat of his favourite aircraft, the B777.
When Mason applied for the Scholarship, he had no contacts in aviation but in the meantime, he has worked hard to get to be known and has engaged extremely well. He now has extensive work experience in this field for his age e.g. flying right seat in Lifeflight’s King Airs - even doing the radio calls, to assisting with ramp services at Capital Jet in Wellington, as well as riding the jumpseat in a private jet, and even an A320.
It can be reasoned that his 3 hour one way commute on public transport to complete a single lesson (as he can afford it) is a clear example of his dedication to his goal. As his mother puts it, he’s an unstoppable force when he is pursuing an interest.
As a point of interest, Mason has chosen to train at Massey Aviation as he believes having a full degree in aviation will help him more in the long term rather than just the Diploma offered elsewhere. It is also the closest training school to home so he can stay in close contact with his family as he studies.
Since taking the Scholarship nationwide last year, Mason is the first person we have met prior to receiving a scholarship application. As we shivered and hid from the frigid driving rain at Wings over Wairarapa, talking to Mason was a high point and we both remember his pleasant engagement with us.
Under the care and tutelage of his permanent carers, Mason has developed into a rare 18 year old. One who gets pleasure from helping others and one who believes he can achieve his seemingly lofty goal. He doesn’t live in a dream world, he just knows he has what it will take to get there.
We are delighted with Mason and with the help of the Hugo Charitable Trust, we are thrilled to help him on his long journey. One we are confident he will complete to his immense satisfaction.
Mason will start at Massey University College of Aviation in January next year.
P.S. Just yesterday, Mason found himself with a few hours to spare in Christchurch, so John picked him us and took him for a session in JETEX’s B737 simulator. With two red and two white PAPI lights, Mason flew a perfect approach to Queenstown.
