Xander Lemaster Fishes for the Finish Line
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Since his freshman year, Xander Lemaster has been actively engaged in cross country running. Whether it's chasing a goal, maintaining focus on the finish line, or pushing forward to secure a medal, this mindset has been central to Lemaster's approach. It's a philosophy that permeates all aspects of his life from his involvement in creating a youth group and discovering his calling in ministry to his role in establishing a bass fishing team.
Lemaster, graduating from Russell High School, has been a part of everything that he can–finding and exploring opportunities in order to find what really mattered to him. As a part of his school’s Future Business Leaders of America club, Lemaster was able to experience and see the many different angles of business. Soon enough, this experience would serve him later as he found his new dream.
As an athlete, Lemaster was a cross country runner all four years of high school and also a founding member of Russell’s Bass Fishing Team. Starting in his freshman year, Lemaster began pulling for a bass fishing team that would allow him to explore his hobby on a competitive level.
“We had to go to the Board of Education to present a Bass Fishing Team, and we finally got approved. We have a team of about 10 people, and it has been pretty solid from there,” explained Lemaster about his role in creating the team.
Through his time on the team, LeMaster has been able to fish all across the state and will be heading to nationals over the summer at Lake Cumberland. LeMaster also plans to keep fostering his love of fishing as he will be part of the Bass Fishing team at Kentucky Christian University in the fall.
LeMaster also found another dual passion through his time in high school–serving his church and his community. After attending several different churches throughout the Ashland area, LeMaster settled at Plaza Community Church of the Nazarene.
Just as he did with the Bass Fishing Team, Lemaster felt there was a need for a program to support the youth in the church as well as the community. Wanting to spread the Word and work with his peers, Lemaster became a founding member of a budding youth group that now averages 25-35 people a week.
Now, Lemaster helps coordinate events for the youth, as well as bring in guest speakers.
“My favorite part is listening to whoever is there speaking because it's nice to hear all the stories that people have to tell,” expressed Lemaster. Anthony Thompson, current principal at Greenup County High School, has been working in education for 25 years and has watched Lemaster grow up. “Xander is a gatherer, and where Xander is there’s always a good time surely to follow. He's a very other centered person,” detailed Thompson.
Lemaster plans to attend Kentucky Christian University in the fall to study business and youth and family ministry. On scholarship as a part of their bass fishing team, LeMaster looks forward to representing one of the best schools in bass fishing nationally.
As Lemaster gives that last push toward the finish line, there is no doubt he will pass that checkered line with flying colors and will continue to make his family and community proud.
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