Long before his death, Zachary Mason made a tremendous impact on the Pell City community. Often joining his father, Randy Mason, in working with the Pell City Players, Zach shared his infections love of music and performance with everyone he met.

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And, because he met so many people, it’s tough to find someone in town who hasn’t, at one point or another, been a “Chicken Head.”

The phrase was a term of endearment for Zach, often imparted in moments of joy that came from participating in the activities he loved most. To Randy Mason, that’s the legacy Zach leaves behind. Keep making music. Keep dancing and acting. Keep being Chicken Heads.

And this weekend gives everyone an opportunity to do just that.

The Third Annual Chicken Head Run will be held at Lakeside Park in Pell City on April 9. The event, which features a 10K, a 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run, benefits the Zachary Mason Memorial Foundation, which provides scholarships to local students.

The Masons set up the Foundation after Zach’s death from a sudden illness in 2012. Based in Pell City, the local nonprofit has since provided two Pell City High School graduates — Shelby Weaver and Ollie Simpkin — with funding to help them continue their music education. So far, the organization has provided select students will $3,000 in scholarships.

Simpkin was the Foundation’s first scholarship recipient in 2013. During school hours, he was a French horn player for the PCHS Band. However, he moonlighted as a member of the Pell City Players, and during that time he connected with Zach and Randy.

“Zach was always really funny,” Simpkin said. “He would come in and play around with the people and props. You could always tell he enjoyed being there.”

The Foundation’s scholarship provided Simpkin with an opportunity to pursue a career in secondary education. He’s is his second year at Jacksonville State, where he’s also a member of the University’s marching band. He said he hopes that when employed as a teacher in the future, he can help pass on Zach’s legacy to other band students.

“I’ve really learned to appreciate the things that helped get me here,” Simpkin said. “Every time I see Mr. Mason, I feel in debt to him for all he’s done.”

In 2014, proceeds from the Chicken Head Run helped propel Shelby Weaver toward her future. Weaver was a Pell City High student, actor and show choir member when she met Zach and Randy. Now, the 20-year-old student is also attending JSU where’s she’s pursuing a degree in music education.

“Zach really loved music,” Weaver said. “To have gotten this scholarship and attended this school means a lot. It means I can look back at the time I spent with Zach and say, ‘This is why I’m doing this. He loved music, and him knowing that I’m doing this with his help would make him happy.’

“It keeps me going when things get tough.”

Both Weaver and Simpkin are pursuing a career path that will pass on Zach’s love of music and arts to hundreds if not thousands more students, and it’s the community’s support that is helping them along the way. This year, through the Chicken Head Run, the Foundation looks to provide the same opportunity to another Pell City student.

Both Weaver and Simpkin, knowing how much of an impact it’s had on their lives, encourage everyone to attend.

“If you go, you’re definitely going to have fun,” Weaver said. “You’ll enjoy the music and get to spend time with just about everybody from Pell City. It really is a great opportunity to both support and get to know the community.”

“I’d encourage everyone who goes to ask about the person it’s named after,” Simpkin said. “And get to know Mr. Mason, too. He’s a great man who’s done so much for the city, and I truly appreciate the opportunity he’s given me with this scholarship. I plan to make something good out of what he’s given me and find a way to bless someone else.”

Registration for the Fourth Annual Chicken Head Run will be online at any time and on the day of the event. To register online, visit runsignup.com.