Teen transforms talents from the court to the classroom

Senior Travis Yenor is best known at The Ambrose School for his stellar performance on the basketball court, but he’s also an all-star in the classroom.

The 6-foot-7-inch captain from the Meridian school is a two-time player of the year in the Southern Idaho Conference and averages more than 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals in each of his three years at Ambrose.

“I really enjoy playing basketball and my height definitely helps me in the game,” Yenor said.

Off the court, Yenor maintains a 4.2 weighted grade-point average and juggles six classes, including two humanity courses, trigonometry, calculus, French, U.S. Government and a modern 21^st Century class.

“The hard work he learns on the basketball court transfers into the classroom,” said Chris Browne, the dean of upper school at Ambrose. “He is one of our best and brightest and takes some of our hardest classes.”

Yenor said he gets the most gratification from his toughest classes.

“My favorite subject is math even though it’s my lowest score on my report card,” Yenor said.

As an eighth-grader, he was approached to play basketball at Capital High School in Boise, but decided to stay at Ambrose where he started as a kindergartner.

“Other athletes are staying at Ambrose because of Travis and we are now making state championship runs,” Browne said. “It’s all because Travis thought it was best for him.”

Travis Yenor signs his letter of intent to Masters College basketball program.

Yenor has drawn attention from college recruiters since his sophomore year. After receiving four college scholarship offers, he accepted a full-ride scholarship to Masters College in Santa Clarita, Calif. He’ll attend there this year.

“Education is important to me and that is why I selected Masters College over the other offers,” Yenor said. “I’m excited for what is to come.”

Yenor plans to study business and then become a high school teacher.

“I love the education system and I would love to spend time developing students,” Yenor said.

Despite his demanding practices, game schedules and schoolwork, Yenor finds time to have a social life.

“I love hanging out with my family and of course I like to play video games with my friends,” Yenor said.

Fun facts about Travis Yenor

Favorite drink? Chocolate milk

Favorite sport to watch? NFL football

What are the first three songs on your current music playlist? “Break up in a small town” by Sam Hunt, “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie and “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten (I am a Taylor Swift fan)