Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on September 3, 2015.

When Triona Bason hiked to the top of Buffalo Mountain on August 14th, she was excited about her accomplishment. She posted a photo on Facebook from the 3,971 foot summit with a caption that read, “This is the sight of Buffalo Mountain. I loved it. Wow, I can’t believe I did it.”

The daughter of Paula Bason and the late A’Court Bason, Triona (25) has a large extended family and many friends in Floyd. She lives with her mother and is supported by companions from Wall Residences to pursue her active life, which includes housekeeping work at the Hotel Floyd and at the Floyd Fitness Center, where she trades work for membership.

Reaching her goal of getting to the top of the mountain was especially satisfying for Triona because she and her support companion had almost completed the climb a few weeks earlier. That hike took longer than they expected, and, because they didn’t want to be late for an upcoming event, they turned back before reaching the top.

Making the mile long, steep hike to the top of Buffalo Mountain was not the first time Triona persevered in her life. Her mother remembers when Triona decided she wanted to try out for varsity cheerleading at Floyd County High School (FCHS). She gave her daughter some realistic feedback about how hard it might be, but that didn’t deter Triona. “And wouldn’t you know, she made the team,” Paula Bason said, explaining how Triona takes the initiative to make things happen in her life.

Triona, a 2009 FCHS graduate, fondly recalls her high school days. “They helped me. I studied and liked hanging with my friends,” she said. Today, lots of activities have taken the place of cheerleading, and Triona continues her life education. She takes Taekwondo with Skip King at the June Bug Center and has also taken dance classes there.

Well known as a fun loving person, Triona is supported by more than her Wall Residences companions. She likes to watch movies with her friend Toni Lamberti, speak Spanish with her friend Kike Rodriguez and get encouragement at the gym from trainer and friend Rowan Chantal.

Dancing runs in Triona’s family and she has a natural flair for performance. Her cousin Leia Jones is a professional dancer and her grandmother Ruth Bason is known for her meditative dancing talent. Every first Sunday of the month Triona’s friend Toni takes her to the Dogtown Open Mic where Triona dances on stage. “Sometimes I sing,” said the dancer who takes voice lessons with Sally Walker. She also likes to “make people laugh” and spend time at the library.

When asked what she likes about living in Floyd, Triona confidently answered, “It feels like a family to me.” Her mother agrees and tells this story: When Triona graduated from high school, instead of sending out announcements, her mother sent out art cards designed by family friend, the late Rio Semione. On the card were the words “It Takes a Village.”

“What that card was saying is ‘she’s graduating. Thank you for your role in this,’ Paula Bason said. “It takes a town like Floyd to raise a kid like her to be as free and comfortable as she is, and where everybody knows her.”