Cameron Baker

This week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student is making the most of his senior year, from competing on Blackfoot’s state champion “We the People” team to dressing up as the Bronco’s super-fan.

But, it’s a love of music that gives Cameron Baker, 19, direction as he looks to the future.

Baker sings his way through senior year at Blackfoot High School and spends spare time composing his own pieces.

“If I didn’t have music in my life every day, like, I don’t know what I would do without it,” said Baker.

The Blackfoot native is no one-hit wonder. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and is the senior class secretary, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

“My grandparents, for a good report card with all A’s, would give me five bucks. But as a first-grader, five bucks is like, ‘Oh man, I got five bucks!'” said Baker.

Baker said the bribe set a high standard at a young age, and it’s one he doesn’t want to break. But, he does close the books long enough to celebrate a passion for sports as the Broncos’ super-fan, bleeding green in his alter ego.

“It makes it more fun, and then I can be crazy, and not everybody knows it’s me, too,” he said.

Baker plans to go to college next year to become a music teacher, citing his own instructor as inspiration.

“The passion and energy he shows, and willingness and (making) us enjoy music at the same time, was really important to me,” said Baker. “And, I kind of got inspiration from that. I want to be someone like that to kids when I get a degree.”

Until then, he’s soaking up every bittersweet day as the end of high school looms.

“Even though I’m going to leave, it’s not going to leave me,” he said.