NATCHEZ — Beth Fortenbery’s study habits are all about staying focused, and those study habits have paid off.

Fortenbery grade point average for last semester was a 4.3, and she said her cumulative GPA is somewhere around 3.7. Fortenbery, who also scored a 22 on the ACT, plays shortstop and second base for the Cathedral High School softball team, something that usually keeps her busy until 6:30 in the evening.

“I just have to sit down and focus and get done what I need to so I can go to bed at a decent time,” Fortenbery said of her study habits. “Overall, I’m normally able to squeeze everything in and not have much pressure.”

Fortenbery admitted, though, that she sometimes has to stay up a bit later than she’d like. Since her teachers let her know ahead of time what’s going to be due throughout the week, Fortenbery said she’s able to plan ahead if she has a busy week.

“Most of the time, I try to get everything done ahead of time during the week if I know I have a big game coming up,” Fortenbery said.

Fortenbery said one of her favorite subjects is anatomy, which she’s taking this semester.

“I’ve always been interested in sciences in general,” Fortenbery said. “It shows how the (human) body works, and me being big into sports, it shows me the different movements and how your muscles work together.”

Anatomy might go along with a potential career for Fortenbery, who said she’s considering physical therapy as a major in college.

“That’s what I’m leaning toward right now,” Fortenbery said. “My love for sports might have something to do with that, but the biggest thing is just being able to help people.”

As for her least favorite subject, Fortenbery said math easily earned that spot.

“I’m not the greatest in it, and I don’t really like all the formulas and fractions,” she said.

Fortenbery said she’s been playing softball ever since she was little. She recently signed to play softball with Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, and Fortenbery said she’s looking forward to extending her playing career.

“I guess there’s always that thought in the back of your head that you might want to play in college, then last year it really hit me that I was capable of playing at the next level,” Fortenbery said. “I took the opportunity I was given.”

Fortenbery is the daughter of Mark and Becky Fortenbery.