Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 18, 1994                   TAG: 9407140001
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY METRO 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

NO TV? WELL, YOU CAN ALWAYS READ

Blacksburg High School's Chris Tyson is the region's only National Merit Scholarship winner and one of 45 students from the state chosen as a Virginia Scholar.

His father is a college professor, he said. His academically oriented family helped ready him for success in school. He said he likes to read.

And, oh yeah, he also said he grew up without a television set.

"People like to make an issue of the fact that we don't have a television," said the 18-year-old senior who plans to attend Princeton University in the fall. "I can't judge how that contributed to my success or not because I've never had one."

It's obvious though, that without a television at home, that left lots of free time for other activities.

"I do read a lot," Tyson, this year's valedictorian, said. "You don't realize 'til many years afterward, but it makes a big deal of difference."

Tyson also is involved in high school sports. He is a four-year letterman in varsity soccer and has run cross country track. He also played the trombone in the high school band.

And on the weekends, when television sets are on everywhere, Tyson likes to get outside.

"Rock climbing and going to the river, I like that kind of thing," he said.

"Chris is probably one of the most versatile students that I've ever been associated with," said Blacksburg guidance counselor Shelley Blumenthal. "He seems to excel at everything."

Blumenthal also noted that Tyson "is a very disciplined young man," handling a full course load at the high school and taking math courses at Virginia Tech. High school students who are in the top 10 percent of their classes, have a minimum 1200 SAT score and who have exhausted all available high school course availabilities may take classes at the university as special students.

Tyson said he's undecided on his future, but he's not too worried about it now.

"I don't have anything specific in mind, but I think I'll do all right going through a place like Princeton," he said. "I'll probably eventually get a job in the sciences, in academia or research ... like my dad."

Tyson has an older brother who just graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, and two younger siblings not yet in high school. He is the son of John and Linda Tyson.

Blacksburg's salutatorian, Jonathan Tze, the son of Chia and Laura Tze, also plans to attend Princeton University.

"This is just an amazing group of students," Blumenthal said. He added that approximately $450,000 in scholarships will be awarded at today's graduation.

Blacksburg High School

Number of students in class: 207

Valedictorian: Chris Tyson

Salutatorian: Jonathan Tze