FAIRFIELD, MO -- M.S.A.E. senior Nick Schwartz may be on the Varsity Basketball Team, but his academics are what he considers a slam dunk.

Schwartz may enjoy acting in plays, but his dedication to academics is anything but an act.

“I believe that school establishes what you are going to be in the future. If you can put your attention on that and really know what you do now is going to affect who you are in the later, then you will be able to have great success no matter what field you go into, “ he said.

Nick plans to attend Denver University next fall and major in political science. “I like English a lot, history, and government. I plan on going into politics in college,” he said.

Nick told KTVO he is thinking of using his degrees to become a governor or senator one day.

Nick’s teachers say he is not only an outstanding student in the classroom, but also a joy to be around. “He’s very polite and funny. He has a great sense of humor,” Principal Donna Steinberg said.

Steinberg went on to say that Denver University will be lucky to have such a great scholar and person become part of their university.

"He gets along great with everyone. He has always been polite with his teachers. He has a great attitude and he’s an all-around great guy," Principal Steinberg said.