Academics paying off for CHS senior

For as long as Tim Grunert can remember, he's gotten straight A's.

That lifelong devotion to academics is now paying off: Tim has won more than a dozen scholarships, including the prestigious National Merit Scholarship, making him one of about 50,000 who earned the distinction from among 1.5 million entrants.

"I think it was instilled in me by my parents and my older siblings," said Tim, 18. "They always strived to achieve, and I wanted to do the same."

While success in school has always been a high priority for the Carson High School senior, his accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. Tim is student body president and the reigning Mr. Carson High, a spoof pageant in which contestants compete in an informal and formal dance number and talent show.

He was also nominated by his peers as a candidate for Homecoming King and was one of the region's top swimmers.

And he manages it all with a natural ease.

"I spend a lot of time hanging out with my friends," he said. "I've been really lucky in being able to find the balance."

Although his grades qualified him for several schools, he weighed his options and finally chose the University of Nevada, Reno.

At first, he said, he was dead set against attending the local university, but changed his mind when he saw the opportunities.

"Their med school is ranked really well," he said. "Now I'm really excited about it."

Along with his other scholarships, Tim was also accepted into a fast-track program in which his fourth year of undergraduate school will double as his first year of medical school.

As long as he keeps his grades up, he'll be automatically accepted into medical school and will have the freedom to complete a research project of his choosing.

"It's probable that I'll be able to make it through med school without taking out any student loans," he said. "I'm happy with my decision."

Tim's two older brothers, Jeremy and Matt, are studying in California and Oregon. So Tim says his parents, Marc and Susan, are relieved that their baby will not be so far away.

"I think my mom's really happy I'm staying close," he said. "She says she's not going to visit me all the time, but I'm not too sure about that."

As he enters his final week of high school, he said he has no regrets. And he has advice for those following behind him:

"Focus on your grades and stuff, but make sure you take time to get involved with your school. Make time with your friends. When I look back, I'm really satisfied because I took the time to have fun."