Bryanna Mason became involved with Start Strong Bronx because “I am almost at that stage where I will have a relationship, and I want to be able to know whether I’m in a bad relationship, and to help prevent it with my family and friends. I also want to know what healthy relationship is.”

A junior at the Bronx High School for the Visual Arts, Bryanna is a talented artist who discovered her gift for writing while creating a Manga comic book about healthy relationships as co-leader of the Start Strong Bronx Teen Advisory Board.

Bryanna believes she is a good leader because she does her best to set a good example for her peers or younger children “by being on time and being a good listener.” She also helps and supports friends and family with school or personal problems or if they need someone to talk to.

Bryanna strengthens her relationship skills through archery, a sport she discovered at a Children’s Aid Society afterschool program five years ago. Working with Coach Larry Brown helped her to have focus and patience as well as self-control and respect for the art and her competitors.

Bryanna has always been an active member in the Bronx community.  As a seventh grader, she volunteered to read to elementary school students in a C.S. 61 after-school program once a week, and participated in the 2009 and 2007 AIDS Walks.