By Jess McClellan
Student Life Editor

When a school needs to come together, the teachers and staff all help to make that happen. Francis “Skip” Mason, a graduate from Council Rock High School, became a Physical Education teacher at Neshaminy Middle School 25 years ago, and now teaches at Maple Point Middle School. Now he is helping put together a basketball tournament in memory of Deby Recupido, a Maple Point teacher who passed away on June 5, 2014.

The tournament, which was held on December 29-30, was named after Mrs. Recupido, and all money raised during the tournament is going towards the Deby Recupido Memorial Scholarship fund. During the two days, Neshaminy won the tournament by beating Lincoln High School.

The P.E. teacher, Mr. Mason, is the assistant basketball coach to Coach Devine, who originally proposed the idea of the tournament. “It was a real honor to get to work with great friends. Coach Devine is amazing. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with in my 32 years of coaching,” Mason said. “He cares so much about his Neshaminy Basketball Family!”

There was a lot of effort from many people in the Neshaminy family. “I would to thank Dr. McGee, Mr. Magdelinskas, Mr. Reice, Trainer Brian, Mr. Deal, Mr. Breslin, Mrs. Adler and all the Custodians that set everything up for us,” Mason said. “Without their support, it would have been impossible to pull off.”

Mason for the last ten years has also been the president of the Bucks County Middle School League. His son, John, is the assistant basketball coach to Devine and his youngest son coaches’ girls’ basketball and soccer for 7th grade. Skip Mason was a big asset to the tournament and the scholarship. He’s a beloved PE teacher and loves all of the students he works with.

If anyone would like to donate to the scholarship fund they can contact Mason at Maple Point by either calling his office at 215-809-6657 or by email at [email protected].