AUSTIN, TX -- East Austin College Prep friends and teachers of Draylen Mason gathered Thursday to record their thoughts and memories about 17-year-old Draylen Mason, who was killed on March 12 after opening an explosive package.
VIEW THE INTERVIEWS HERE:
Adriana Adame, Teacher at East Austin College Prep
“I want people to remember him for his life," said Adriana Adame, Draylen’s English teacher, in her interview. "His death is one moment. That doesn’t define him and that’s not who he was. Who he was, was a kid who helped everybody else and smiled and spoke out whenever he could and was interested in social justice and talked about things that were unfair in the world and wanted to change things and wanted to better things and that’s who we have to remember him as."
Alex Quinonez, classmate/bandmate in school orchestra
"The first time I remember Draylen was probably from the 7th grade, it was the summer before 7th grade started and we had an orchestra camp that summer," Alex Quinonez, classmate/bandmate in school orchestra said. "The first time I saw (Draylen), I was with my friend and we walked into the old cafeteria there. He was already in there playing the bass. That was the first time we saw him and I've known him ever since. He was a really charismatic and talented person. He always had this funny, really energetic attitude towards everything."
Amparo Diaz, Teacher at East Austin College Prep
"This is the first year I taught Draylen, but I did meet him last year," Amparo Diaz, Teacher at East Austin College Prep said. "At the beginning of the (school) year, he was very excited about his passion for music. He talked about wanting to go to Julliard and a bunch of other music schools. Everybody knows his potential and so everybody believed in him. And at the beginning of this school year, he started switching up a little bit -- he decided he wanted to go into endovascular neurosurgery. He was supposed to be the kid that went to school the longest."
Ashley Sosa, classmate/bandmate in school orchestra
"I got the privilege to travel with (Draylen) to Thailand, to Colorado, " Ashley Sosa, classmate/bandmate in school orchestra said. "It's really sad that he's no longer with us because he was such a great person. He loved to give. He always put others before himself. I've been very close to him, especially this year because it's our senior year. It hurts a lot because he can't be here with us anymore. He won't be able to be here at prom or get his diploma. He had a lot going for him because he got accepted to UT and every university he applied to, he got in. I'm very thankful he was in our lives."
Danielle Harris, senior classmate at East Austin College Prep
"Me and Draylen were very close friends," Danielle Harris, senior classmate at East Austin College Prep said. "He was a very strong individual, a very powerful individual. You rarely saw him down or upset about something. He was a very powerful individual who touched a lot of people personally."
Erica Gonzalez, Principal at East Austin College Prep
"I've been blessed to know him almost seven years," Erica Gonzalez, Principal at East Austin College Prep said. "He was one kid who always kind of stuck out of the crowd. He was super special. He had amazing manners -- a very respectful young man. He's a ray of sunshine. His smile's amazing -- it truly lit up a room. "
Faye Ghazban, Teacher at East Austin College Prep
"His passing has left us with a huge void in our hearts," Faye Ghazban, teacher at East Austin College Prep said "But, I know that because of his kindness, his generosity, and his forgiveness... he is in peace. And I'm sure that he wants us to be at peace. Every memory I have is wonderful and great with his beautiful, brilliant, smiling face. He was a magnificent, courageous, talented young man."
Sharrel Prince, childhood friend/classmate/bandmate in school orchestra
"Draylen and his mom have a really good relationship," Sharrel Prince, childhood friend/classmate/bandmate in school orchestra said. "Draylen is the person he is because of his mom. Everything he knows, he gives credit to his mom and his grandma -- they are his backbone. Look how much Draylen has impacted everyone across the nation, all because of his two backbones -- his grandma and his mom."
East Austin College Prep released this statement about its late student:
It is with deep sadness that the administration, faculty and staff of East Austin College Prep announce a recent loss to our school community. On Monday, March 12, 2018, East Austin College Prep Senior Draylen Mason was killed at his home in East Austin by an unknown attacker. Our hearts are with his family as they come to terms with this tragedy, and with our students and their families who loved him. Draylen attended EAPrep from 6th through 12th grade and was well known throughout the school community for his infectious smile, his love of music and dance, and his devotion to helping others through service opportunities at school and with his church. EAPrep Secondary School Principal Erica Gonzalez said, “Draylen was an EAPrep Tiger from way back and he was well-loved throughout the school. This senseless act has left a great void for all of us who knew him. We must use our voices to speak out against acts of violence.” Draylen, who played in the school orchestra and studied martial arts, was due to graduate this semester with East Austin College Prep’s senior class of 2018. He had already been accepted to the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin where he planned to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance with double bass as his instrument. “I had the opportunity to meet Draylen many times throughout his years at EAPrep,” said Dr. Juan Sánchez, El Presidente/CEO of Southwest Key Programs. “He had a smile that lit up a room and you couldn't help but smile back when he spoke to you. We will do our best every day to honor his spirit and continue his good works.”
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