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.