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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

13-year-old excels in academics, leadership


Trevor Masterson is a seventh-grader at Timberlake Junior High School. Trevor is active in Scouting, 4-H, sports, and also helps out with the animals on his family's 16 acres.
 (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Patty Hutchens Correspondent

SPIRIT LAKE – By all accounts, Trevor Masterson is a high-achieving 13-year-old. He has been a straight-A student for the past four years, placed 11th in the state of Idaho in a word competition, and while in the fifth grade placed eighth in the state spelling bee for fifth- through eighth-graders.

But it is more than academics that sets Trevor apart from his peers. It is his involvement in activities such as leadership, Boy Scouts, 4-H, sports and his work at home that makes him truly a cool kid.

Last year Trevor was nominated by one of the sixth-grade teachers at Athol Elementary School to attend the National Young Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Trevor had been an Ambassador during both his fifth- and sixth-grade years at Athol and helped to organize service-oriented projects such as fundraising for cancer awareness and opening a school store.

“They picked him (for the leadership conference) because of his grades, his leadership skills and because of who he is,” said his mom, Shari Knoche.

During his trip to the conference, Trevor visited Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Harper’s Ferry.

“We learned things like leadership and how to take charge,” said Trevor. “We also learned about how the country was founded and about different things like John Brown and how he helped the slaves.”

Trevor said he enjoyed Washington, D.C., the most of all the places he visited.

“I really liked the architecture and all the buildings,” he said.

Trevor’s leadership qualities and desire to serve his community is demonstrated by the fact that he is involved in both Boy Scouts and 4-H. In Scouts, he needs to achieve one more level before working toward his Eagle Scout award, the Boy Scouts’ highest rank. He said he also enjoys the camping, hiking and canoe trips he takes with his troop.

As part of his 4-H projects, Trevor raises pigs with his brother, Brandon. He then earns money by auctioning off at least one pig.

“I saved part (of the money from this year) and used some to pay for my Washington, D.C., trip, and my brother and I are going to buy a go-kart with the rest,” Trevor said.

Another component of 4-H and Boy Scouts that Trevor enjoys is the service projects in which the groups participate.

“”We’ve planted trees in Hayden, cleaned up the highway, and basically do whatever needs to be done,” Trevor said.

Trevor is a student at Timberlake Junior High School in Spirit Lake, and is one of three seventh-graders enrolled in ninth-grade math. He said if he keeps on this track he will be taking calculus in the 10th grade.

With all of these activities, it is hard to believe that Trevor would find time for any other endeavors. Yet he manages to find time to participate in basketball and baseball and loves them both.

He has played both sports for several years and last year was on three different basketball teams.

“That was nuts because I coached all of them,” his mom said.

Although Trevor enjoyed having mom coach, he is excited that this year Brian Rewers is his coach.

“He used to play in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets,” said Trevor, whose mom adds that she is happy to sit on the sidelines for the first time and cheer on her son.

As for baseball, Trevor enjoys playing first base and said last year’s Little League team did great.

“We were the White Sox and we won the championship,” said Trevor. “We only lost one game.”

But when Trevor is finished with all of his activities, he doesn’t simply go home and sit in front of the TV. The 16 acres on which his family resides is also home to all of their pets.

“We have pigs, horses, donkeys, ducks, chickens, dogs and cats,” Shari said. “You name it, we’ve got it.”

Trevor said it is a lot of work to take care of them all, but he doesn’t mind.

Shari adds that her husband is not always able to attend to the animals due to his work schedule, but that Trevor is always willing to step in.

“He helps out immensely making sure everything’s watered and everything’s fed,” said Shari. “Of anybody, I can rely on him.”