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Cool kid: Homeschool, activities keep fifth-grader busy

Matthew Everett holds one of his Buff Orfington chickens. His family also raises Rhode Island Red chickens and Scottish Highland cattle on their small farm on the Dartford Prairie. (Shannon Carlson / The Spokesman-Review)
Shannon Carlson Correspondent
Matthew Everett holds one of his Buff Orfington chickens. His family also raises Rhode Island Red chickens and Scottish Highland cattle on their small farm on the Dartford Prairie. (Shannon Carlson / The Spokesman-Review)

Matthew Everett is a well-spoken 11-year-old with a passion for sports, farming and God.

This articulate fifth-grader attends school at home with his siblings, Lucy, 13, and Jack, 8. His best subjects are Latin (which he says contributes to his English vocabulary because of the “good derivatives”) and history. He has begun playing the trombone this year through the Mead School District and also plays the piano. When asked about his favorite activity, his dark eyes sparkle and an enormous grin erupts, dimples and all. “Playing outside,” he replies.

“Outside” at the Everett household comprises a multiacre boy heaven, complete with ice rink, animals and a basketball hoop. Basketball is one of Matthew’s favorite sports.

He participates in the Upward Basketball which he describes as “playing basketball and learning about God; it’s pretty cool.” Having his own ice rink helps fuel his love of hockey. When the conditions are right, Matthew and his siblings play hockey and skate for up to six hours a day. When he plays on a league team, the wiry farm boy plays forward.

Living on a farm isn’t all hockey and basketball. There are chores to be done, and Matthew has many. Among these are taking care of the 21 chickens and two cows that make up the animal ranks. He is much attached to Annabelle and Charlotte, both Scottish Highland breed cows. When asked what he likes most about them, he answers with a grin, “They have dreadlocks!”

Matthew’s activities away from school and the farm include Cub Scouts in which he has been a member for three years. He is currently as second-year Webelo and after the upcoming Blue and Gold Banquet, he will be crossing over to Boy Scouts. His many achievements in Cub Scouts include handyman, ready man and engineer awards. His most important achievement so far has been the satisfaction of requirements for the Arrow of Light. When asked what the Arrow of Light represents, Matthew replies without a hint of hesitation, “I’ve worked hard and am capable of being a Boy Scout.”

When asked about his future plans, Matthew doesn’t have a ready response. “There are so many choices,” he replies. “Anyway, I think I have a lot of time to decide.”