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photo by Marcus Frazier
It can be said that Natchez High School senior Ylani Hayes, 17, is at the head of her class. She is on track to become the class of 2009 valedictorian.
NHS student makes school, top grades her job
Published Thursday, January 8, 2009
NATCHEZ — Ylani Hayes doesn’t have time for an after school job — because she already has one.
“School is my job,” she said. “I’m here to learn, that’s what I’m doing now.”
And it’s that type of no-nonsense attitude that has put Hayes, 17, in her current position.
If she stays on her current track she’ll walk across the stage as Natchez High School’s valedictorian.
While Hayes said she’s more concerned with doing well in each subject, she’d be proud to take the honor.
“Right now I’m just taking it one grade at a time. I’ve been doing the best I can for all these years, and I’m hoping for the best,” she said. “It’s a big deal, but I just want to walk (at graduation).”
And after Hayes takes that walk, she plans to move on to Jackson State University.
Once there she’ll pursue a degree in psychology with the hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist.
Hayes said she’s drawn to the field because she feels it will allow her a chance to help those in need.
“A lot of people need help,” she said. “And most of the time they just need a little guidance.”
But looking at Hayes’ schedule of extracurricular activities, it’s hard to see where she’ll find the time to even finish school.
She’s the school’s Parliamentarian of Student Council, President of the National Honor Society, first-chair in the marching band and the Daughters of the American Revolution named her Natchez’s Citizen of the Year.
Hayes’ guidance councilor, Iris Myles, said students like Hayes are rare.
“They just don’t come along very often,” she said.
And while Myles said it has started yet, she feels it’s only a matter of time before scholarship offers for Hayes start rolling in.
“She’s an amazing student,” she said.
Comments
Posted by Calm_Cool_Collected (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've taken much better pictures, and I received the DAR Good Citizen Award. I also play Tennis.
Posted by Calm_Cool_Collected (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am also in Mayor's Youth Council and Beta Club.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations on all the achievements! I would leave off the Beta Club, as there are plenty of businesses out there who have had applicants list the Beta Club in their resumes which read like they were written by third graders. Misspelled words and incorrect punctuation do not impress. Education, in the last twenty years, leaves a lot to be desired and the teacher's unions do not want you to mess up their playhouse. When they turn out graduates who can actually read, spell, and punctuate, they can then pat themselves on the back.
Miss Hayes, this was not aimed at you. I really am proud you have done so well.
Posted by mightyms (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope if this lady is as bright as she sounds she will make a better choice in her institute of higher learning.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Miss Hayes, Natchez is so proud of you. Where ever you choose to pursue your degree in Psychology, you will shine. I only wish we had more of your caliber in the public school system. Bless you sweet girl; you will go so far.
Posted by drinthehouse (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Democrat needs to focus more on proofreaders to enhance the quality of their articles.
Congratulations to Ms. Hayes and I believe you will be successful in your life.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are many branches in the field of Psychology. The focus she strives for, clinical psychology, will forever be searching for new recruits. Something tells me that even if she doesn't choose Psych, she will do something to help others. We need so many more caring people in this world and Miss Hayes will do well.
Posted by willis1982 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job student!
As far as proof readers for the Democrat. I already mentioned that in a comment and was berated by individuals telling me that i was too anal retentive, needed to read Freud, and that everybody misspells words. I have long given up on that path of trying to help the Democrat correct its spelling issues.
Hopefully good students like this will help bring us back to some level of intelligence.
Posted by trulyblessed (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Ylani. Good luck in all your endeavors. Whatever institution you attend, to pursue your dream, is your choice. Its not where you go, but what you do when you get there. You are very focused, so I know you will do exceptionally well. God Bless You!!!!
Posted by charliebug5865 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, you are very focused & poised in your graduation cap & gown,intelligence & education are power & $UCCE$$,CONGRATULATIONS to a beautiful young lady on all your hard work, obviously it will pay off for you as well! Good LUCK w/ whatever you choose in life, I too beleive in you, smart,focused, and motivated on all the right issues in ur life , keep up the GREAT job, you will always do well! God Bless You and keep you, whereever you decide to go to college, always stay the way you are, no doubt, you will go far! THANKS to the PARENTS of this young lady are in order as well, whomever has had guidance around her obviously deserves a pat on the back, well done!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck, Miss Hayes. I'm sure you will do great in the future, because your mind is already set to achieve your goals. Just stay focused, because college has a lot of temptations.
By the way, I don't see anything wrong with your picture. you are very beautiful.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on January 8, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations on all your success...
and ability to toot your own horn!! lol.. j/k!!
You should be VERY proud of yourself!! Those are some very big accomplishments you will be achieving!! Good luck in your future!!
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Ylani! You and Guy and the other brainiacs at NHS keep on proving that the public school is capable of producing some of the country's top students. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments!
Posted by myvoice (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations! Your list of achievements is impressive and I'm sure it will continue to grow as you matriculate through college, graduate school, and whatever career you choose to pursue. My only piece of advice is to keep God first in your life and allow Him to direct your path.
For all those offering suggestions and/or criticisms about where Ms. Hayes should attend school or what she should do with her life, while I’m sure your comments are well-intentioned, I urge you to consider lifting her up in prayer instead. As someone who often found myself in the spotlight at NHS several years ago, I sometimes found it hard to manage the pressure of having so many expectations placed on my life. Don’t get me wrong, the support is excellent and definitely needed, but it’s also easy for a young person to feel that the weight of an entire community rests on her shoulders, especially when she hears so much opposing advice. So I suggest that we all encourage and pray for this phenomenal young woman as she steps out into the world and walks in the greatness God has predestined for her life.
I’m now many miles away from Natchez, but it still warms my heart to see positive stories about young people at my alma mater. God bless you Ylani!
Posted by c_8512 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ylani, to simply say thank you for being a shining example for your peers to follow would be a slight on my part. You have set the bar high, but you seem to have the desire to achieve that level of success and far beyond. However, I would like to caution you about being one-dementional in your goal. I have seen many people start college with such aspirations, only to be forced to change directions in mid-stream, thereby taking longer to work toward a different goal, then change back to the original goal or even another. My advice to you would be to set your major goal, which you seem to have done already, but always have a back-up plan that will complement the main goal. This will ensure that your goal will be reached, and you will be more accomplished in your skills by doing it this way. The most important advice is to hold on tight to God's Hand; He will remove many obstacles for you. This I know from experience.
Posted by charmin22 (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mightyms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.. As a matter of fact they have an outstanding psychology department..Keep your head up girl there are people dying to see you fall!!!!!!!
Posted by cevers (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Ylani; I am proud of you!!! Your Former Principal
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on January 9, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
El Goodo...your friend must not have wanted to work in C.P. very much. If one wants something badly, there's very little to keep them from achieving their dream. Hope, faith, and a little skin off the bottoms of the feet is what gets people where they want to go, even if they have to move away.
To be honest, the most giving folk I know are the poorest. Giving comes from the heart, not the bank. Some people give by providing jobs...some people give by giving of themselves. Both are needed and should go hand in hand.
Posted by Music2oo8 (anonymous) on January 16, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hats Off to you Lani!!! Keep up the good work, and stay as humble as you are, Keep God first, and he will continue to order your steps.Love you Forever, Love for Always.
Godmother
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