Cheyenne senior displays diligence

For many high school seniors, the last year of school is filled with the stress of college preparation, scholarship applications, relationship breakups, grades and a serious of case of "senioritis."

Cheyenne High School senior Eric Leider, 18, has managed to make it through school while juggling Advanced Placement classes, two varsity sports, National Junior Honor Society and friends -- all while maintaining a weighted 4.8 GPA.

An average day for Leider involves waking up at 5 a.m., going to school, coming home, eating and beginning his homework. His AP government homework alone typically takes him between two and six hours to complete.

"I'm not a genius or anything," he said frankly. "I just do my work. I'm an athlete."

AP physics teacher Robert Tinnell described Leider as a diligent student.

"He knows what he needs to do to succeed, and he does it," Tinnell said.

Leider seems to have no trouble keeping a balance between school and friends.

"I'm not a nerd or anything like that," Leider said. "I don't play video games. Sometimes I can be shy and keep to myself, but I have a lot of acquaintances and a few close friends, and I'm also really close with my brother."

Tinnell said Leider is well-respected.

"Everyone seems to like him or at least know about him," the physics teacher said.

Cheyenne High School senior Alexis Johnson, one of Leider's close friends, said he has a quality that attracts people to him.

"He's kind, funny, smart, outgoing and athletic," she said. "He's always there for me. When I need help with homework or just any problems at all, he helps me out all the time. And when I'm in a bad mood, I can just talk to him for two minutes, and I'll forget all about it. He's probably one of the greatest friends I'll have."

Leider already has some plans for the near future.

"I plan on majoring in business and minoring in marketing," he said. "I'm not exactly sure what my future job title will be, but I have some ideas. But who knows? I might change my mind."

Tinnell said he can picture Leider running a successful company, "something CEO level."

Johnson said she predicts the best for Leider's future.

"In 10 years I see him working for some big company making 'hella' money. Either that or still in school trying to get a master's degree in everything," she said with a laugh.

Leider was accepted to several colleges, including Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., but he decided to enroll in a Connecticut prep school.

"I don't have my future planned out," he said. "But whatever I'll be doing in 10 years, I'll be successful at it."