M-PHS senior Nick Forsythe was recently honored as a Washington Scholar, selected as one of the three students from each of Washington State's 49 districts.

To be eligible, high school senior scholar applicants must be in the top one percent of their class, and show leadership and community service involvement. "It was hard to win it," said Nick.

The 18-year-old was rewarded with a full term tuition scholarship toward any Washington public or private university. Nick is also excited about going to "Scholar Day" in Olympia on May 20, where he and the other recipients will have an opportunity to meet Governor Christine Gregoire.

At Marysville-Pilchuck High School, Nick is in the Bio-Med smaller learning community program. The classes he is taking have an emphasis on the medical field, giving students a head start on the rigorous classes that lie ahead of them in college. Nick's dream is to be a dentist, and he feels this learning community at the high school has helped him on that path.

"It's nice being around students with the same goals and the same direction that I have," said Nick.

Apart from classes and schoolwork, Nick likes to stay involved with his school through ASB, where he is the Special Events Coordinator. "I like putting more voice in at school through the ASB group. Homecoming was my big project. It was really neat," he said.

Nick will also be this year's Valedictorian, in honor of his sustained 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career. He admits that his big speech on grad night is going to be more encouraging, saying, "a lot of people try to force the comedy, but I am going for more inspirational."

Despite his strong academic history and school commitment, Nick isn't all brains and no play.

"I am big into sports. I was the quarterback for the football team and captain of the basketball team," said Nick. He admits that his favorite thing to do outside of school is to practice and play sports. "I am always in the gym, playing basketball, which is my favorite sport. I plan to play next year at college."

In the fall Nick will attend Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) for a pre-dental degree and play for their basketball team. "I like how it's a smaller school and it will help me on my pre-med career path," said Nick.

Nick stays involved with his community through a program called Big Buddy, Little Buddy. He volunteers at an elementary school and hangs out with his "little buddy" during the week. He has been working with the same youngster, who is in the 3rd grade at Marshall Elementary, for three years.

"It opened my eyes and I have a true passion for working with kids and working with kids as a dentist in the future."

So what's Nick's secret to having a great school and sport track record?

He said modestly, "I wouldn't describe myself as a genius kid, but I think hard work, not just in sports, but also in my schoolwork has helped me over the years."