Senior Mason Hinkle has never been one to shy away from new opportunities. Always diving headfirst into trying new things has allowed him to have a high school experience like no other. From the soccer field to the classroom, Mason has demonstrated a level of dedication and leadership that makes him an exemplary Eagle scholar. Through a relentless work ethic, a drive for excellence, and a genuine passion for helping others, there is no doubt that his time at Enloe has left an indelible mark on both him and those around him.
Mason makes no compromises when it comes to his passions. Starting as young as four, Mason has always prioritized soccer as an integral part of his life. To say that Mason is committed would be an understatement—the level of consistency and discipline it takes to do what he does is admirable. Soccer has always been part of Mason’s journey, as he hails from a family that’s heavily involved in soccer. His brother, a standout player of the Enloe Men’s Soccer team, set a high bar for Mason to follow. While there were times when the pressure was high, Mason took this as motivation, driven “to try to throw a good reputation for the Hinkle name.” Thus began the long weekends of soccer tournaments, sometimes all the way to Charlotte or Virginia, which built him a solid foundation for his high school soccer career.
Joining the soccer team as a rising ninth grader felt daunting, to say the least. Being the youngest player on a sports team can be intimidating for anyone, but Mason’s hard work and determination quickly set him apart. By his sophomore year, his efforts paid off when he made the varsity team. Since then, he has made meaningful relationships with his teammates that will last for a lifetime. Longtime friend and soccer teammate Jack Rakestraw shares, “When I think of Mason, I think of how awesome it was to play Enloe soccer with one of my best friends for 4 years. Everything we achieved, we did together, and all the work put in side-by-side is one of my favorite experiences.”
Finally, finishing off his senior season as team captain, many can attest that Mason filled the shoes of a leader, a friend, and a source of inspiration.
Even outside of soccer, Mason is an exemplary leader in the academic environment. He has been an integral part of Enloe’s Student Council (STUCO), serving on the advisory board for 2 years before taking on the position of senior vice president. To him, the most notable parts of STUCO were the planning processes of Charity Ball and prom. Being a member of the outreach team, he was able to gain the necessary skills to raise money for nonprofit organizations to make a difference in the local community. “I think it kind of shows how much power we as students can have if you have a goal, or if you have something that you want to do. It’s really in your hands to get it done,” He adds.
Mason is able to apply this ambassadorship skill to other areas. As a head marshal in the Enloe Marshals program, he oversees the activities of the other marshals in the group. He plays an essential role in the behind-the-scenes work at school events such as art performances and graduation. His favorite part about being a marshal is the small, yet meaningful impacts he is able to make on younger students. “I just love open houses, the prospective students and parents coming in, and just getting to talk with them about why I love Enloe … kind of seeing that kid warm up to the idea of Enloe, and kind of come out of their shell the more you talk to them—it’s pretty great.”
This aspect of his character also shines through in his work with PEPI, a course offered at Enloe where general education students can interact with special needs students through physical activity. “A lot of it is really just giving the opportunity to those kids,” Mason says. “It’s more just focusing on patience and learning strategies to get the best out of these kids.”
Mason has the unique ability to brighten up anyone’s day—close friend Carter Shedd knows of this all too well: “Whenever Mason snaps me a selfie, I always smile or chuckle a little bit … I don’t know why—that’s my boy. I always have to laugh a little bit.”
Mason’s contributions to the Enloe community have been undeniably impactful and will continue to inspire others to do the same. His biggest piece of advice for both school and life is to simply: “Dive in. Go for it, take advantage of everything that’s at your disposal.”
As his senior year comes to a close, Mason has already set his sights on a clear road ahead. In the fall, he plans to major in economics at the University of Georgia, a school where he can pursue his high school passions even after he graduates. No matter where life takes him, it’s clear that his time at Enloe will always be a part of him. “Enloe gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of lessons of what I want to do in my life and how I want to go about living,” he reflects. There is no one more deserving of success. From the Eagle’s Eye, we wish Mason all the very best life has to offer!
