Lori Anne Fuller’s beliefs are important to her. Important enough to be the deciding factor in where she spends her time now and in the future.

For now, the salutatorian of Adams County Christian School’s class of 2000 can be found at First Baptist Church in Natchez every Sunday morning and night, and at youth group Bible study on Wednesday nights.

Although with her 4.0 GPA, Fuller could choose from virtually any secular school, next fall she will attend Mississippi College in Jackson, a traditionally Baptist college. &uot;That particular decision has been made for quite a while. Of course, the scholarship was nice, too,&uot; she said.

&uot;I want to go somewhere I know that the beliefs are the same as mine. I want to live in a Christian atmosphere, &uot; she added.

When Fuller was told that she was chosen to be salutatorian, she knew that that would mean having to get up in front of 66 other graduates and their friends and families, and her own family to give her parting speech. In that speech, Fuller reminded her audience, &uot;The only certain thing in a world full of uncertainties is that God will be there.&uot;

Although Fuller is undecided on her major in college, her speech led to one of the first career choices she made. &uot;That (public speaking) is one thing that really scares me. I really didn’t think I could do it because I’m so shy, but if God called me to, I could,&uot; she said.

She has since added other careers that hold no appeal to her list. &uot;I know that there will not be any needles or blood involved, so I will not be going into the medical field,&uot; she laughed.

Her faith in God influences every part of Fuller’s life. She likes all music, but listens to contemporary Christian music often, and reads Christian literature.

Recently she finished the &uot;Left Behind&uot; series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, which deals with the return of Christ and what happens afterward.

The books left a lasting impact on her thinking.

&uot;God could come back anytime and you need to make sure your life is in order and your heart is where it needs to be,&uot; she explained. &uot;Personally, I hope that what I say and the way I act don’t contradict each other — you know, putting on two faces.&uot;

Fuller attributes her faith to her family, especially her parents, Kim and Debbie Fuller. &uot;We have a pretty good relationship. I like spending time with them,&uot; she said.

As she looks forward to leaving for college, her heartstrings tug toward home. She has a little sister, Sara Beth, that she hates to leave behind. &uot;We are sisters, so we do fight, but I’m trying to spend time with her now because I’ll be gone soon.&uot;

She knows that campus life will be different. &uot;It will be a big adjustment, but I can always call my mama,&uot; she said.