My name is Mason Maske, and I was Blake's best friend from childhood all the way to the end.

We met in second grade in the principal's office after he stole a LEGO from me. Even after chasing him all over the playground to get back my LEGO Stormtrooper, we were inseparable from that point on. We spent countless hours together enjoying some of our favorite hobbies, including ice fishing, open-water fishing, and duck hunting. We may have been skunked from time to time, but the time we shared together always made it worthwhile.

Blake was like a brother to me. We grew up in each other's homes and created countless memories together. After his passing, I was crushed. I have a tattoo in his honor to keep his memory with me every day.

I am a proud member of Blake's Beacon, and I am honored to advocate for ice and water safety because I have seen firsthand how one small misjudgment can change lives forever. My hope is to help reduce the number of accidents that happen in and around the water so that fewer families and friends have to experience the pain and loss that so many of us have endured.