Executive Council

I am excited to get to spend another year representing the students here at NWP! I have been taking my time working towards a Business Administration Degree (HR), and I have 2 years left before I will be let out into the wilds of the real world again. I was looking at a list of all courses I have already taken the other day, and I was amazed at how far I have come. Many of you have been here with me since the beginning, and every year I love getting the opportunity to meet new students that are coming in. 

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 I want to come into my third term as President with a fresh heart and fresh ideas. I want to continue to earn your trust as I navigate the day to day in this position. I hope that together we can figure what kind of events and supports students want so that we can make the most of our time here together.

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I still love to travel and intend to get to know home a little better this year. I just got a stand-up paddle board and Townie peddle bike. I plan on spending the summer months out on the water somewhere or following some trail out in nature to see where it takes me. I plan on coming back to fall semester with a fierce tan and amazing stories of adventure.

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As the colder months come in it will be time to bunker down and get back into homework and studies. I look forward to slow afternoons around the fireplace in Howlers. To stay active, I will pull out my snowshoes and try not to freeze as I explore our winter wonderland.

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I hope that students will come by my office to have a chat and share their experiences with me. Whether you’re in GP or FV, I look forward to sharing the next school year will all of you.

Mason Huckabone has been a student at Northwestern Polytechnic since 2022 and has completed two years of his Bachelor of Education degree. This year, he is pursuing a Diploma in University Arts while awaiting the introduction of the third and fourth years of NWP’s new BeD program. While he was accepted into the TEN program, his love for NWP led him to delay his studies, choosing to stay at NWP for an additional year.

Mason’s passion for student advocacy began in high school, where he was elected as the 2018/2019 St. John Paul II Student Body President. Following this position, he used his experience to serve on the NWPSA Student Council from 2022 to 2024. Since his first year, Mason has participated in various committees, including NWP’s Academic Council and Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee, and NWPSA’s Finance Committee and Awards Committee.

Beyond student leadership, Mason has been an advocate in the Grande Prairie community. As a member of the St. John Paul II Kihew Leadership Team, he advocated for Indigenous recognition in the community, which reinforced his commitment to social justice. In Fall 2023, he served as the Director of the GPLT’s “The Diary of Anne Frank.” This production focused on the adversities faced by Jewish people during World War II and its relevance to modern conflicts. He hopes to continue advocating for social causes to create a vibrant cultural environment on our diverse campus.

Mason has a strong passion for Grande Prairie’s Fine Arts community and is often acting or working backstage crew for various GPLT productions. During the summer, he volunteers for the Bear Creek Folk Festival, one of Grande Prairie’s largest volunteer events of the year, and helps with youth events through his church, such as Vacation Bible School and Bible Camp. These experiences have deepened his commitment to fostering a sense of community and inclusivity, which he believes is essential for academic success.

With his pride for our community, his extensive experience in leadership roles, and his deep passion for education and student advocacy, Mason Huckabone is committed to making an impact in our diverse community while serving in the Northwestern Polytechnic Students Association.

Jake Rakestraw has been at Northwestern Polytechnic since 2021. He is working towards his Bachelor of Social Work with the goal of becoming involved in making positive and meaningful changes within the sector. He has been working with the community since he was younger, focusing specifically on the houseless population, youth, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. He was born in Atlanta Georgia, but moved to Grande Prairie when he was six, and has absolutely loved becoming so involved within the local community. This is his first year with the Students Association, and he cannot wait to learn and grow with the team and help make life better for students. In his free time, you can usually find him playing video games, working with his organization (PFLAG), or hanging out with friends.