Michael Orman's bowling days began four years ago as a fun night out with a friend.

"Neither one of us were really that good," said the senior at Robert F. Kennedy Community High School. "But we had seen other people that were bowling next to us who were scoring 200, 250."

"When you see people doing great things like that next to you, you want to be like them, and that was my motivation," Orman saud,

That kind of motivation eventually led him to the state bowling championships, where he placed fourth with the Robert F. Kennedy Community High School team. With results like those, some might find it hard to believe that Orman had little experience before he joined that team. Lessons from a private coach and hours of practice each day helped him master the sport. His highest score to date is a 289, just 11 pins shy of a perfect score. Now, he helps others learn the sport, as both a private coach and the captain of his school's team.

"Michael took the role of being basically an assistant coach," said Gregory Korniewicz, Orman's bowling coach. "Under his tutelage, several of our bowlers went from some of the lower rankings … our C Team, and they rose up through the ranks to become A Team members and none of that would have been possible without Michael."

Orman scores just as big in the classroom. He has a 4.0 G.P.A. even with a schedule packed with Advanced Placement (AP) courses. He says although they may be tough, he enjoys the challenge.

"Going to school is an enjoyable experience most of the time," Orman said. "I always get to learn new things and that's always something I strive for in life: is to just learn something new."

Orman gives this bit of advice to other students striving for similar success: "I think it's really about being patient and dedicated and organizing your time," he said. "Whatever you want to do, if you make a goal, and you stay organized, and you focus on that goal, you'll … eventually reach it."

So for striking the right balance, in and out of the classroom, Michael Orman is NY1's Scholar Athlete of the Week.

------

The Spectrum News NY1 Scholar Athlete Program recognizes exceptional public high school student athletes with academic scholarship awards of $1,000 each for use towards college expenses. Nominees must be high school seniors enrolled at public high schools within the five boroughs of New York City in order to be considered.

If you are a public school coach, teacher, administrator or school counselor who would like to nominate a student athlete who excels both in the classroom and on the court, click here to fill out a nomination form.