Women's Basketball's Mason leads charge for change with Sexual Assault awareness game

Victims of sexual assault face some of the tougher challenges that can be seen in society today. Victims are often overwhelmed with the fact that their voice may never be heard. They're often scared to speak up, scared of the repercussions if they do and scared that they would be alone in their fight if they did so. These fears plagued Bethany basketball star, and sexual assault survivor, Makenzee Mason for years. Mason has since overcome those fears triumphantly, found her voice and is now leading the charge for change in her community. 

Mason, alongside Bethany's Athletic Trainer Kacey Morrison, have put together a "Sexual Assault Awareness Night" set to take place on January 27th for the home Bethany Women's and Men's basketball games against Washington and Jefferson at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The day will feature a ton of different ways to raise money for the WV Foundation for Rape Information & Services. 

"The Sexual Assault Awareness games are a way for our campus to show support to survivors of such heinous crimes," Mason said. "At the game, there will be a silent auction, raffle, t-shirts for sale, and snacks from local shops." 

As important as raising money for this cause is, the layers of impact that this night will have is much deeper than that. Mason looks to bring awareness and change to the world for all the sexual assault survivors. She wants to make an impact so that victims of these crimes won't have to fight their battles the way that she did for so long.  

Mason wasn't always this outspoken leader that she's grown into. Four years ago, when she first stepped foot on Bethany's campus, she would have never imagined that she would be the voice that many victims see as a leader in change. 

"I never would have thought I would have as strong of a voice as I do now. I owe a lot of the credit to the people who saw how bad I was hurting internally and stepped up to help me and then got me to the right counselors," Mason added. "I think I am a testament to the kind of people that are at Bethany. They care so deeply about making us not just better students, but better people." 

Stand up, support each other, fight for what's right, and, as Makenzee Mason would say, "Find your voice."