NATCHEZ — Natchez Freshman Academy student JahKeria Carter has a big future ahead of her and a big heart for helping others.

Her school’s principal, Larry Hooper, said Carter has an impressive work ethic and a huge amount of integrity for a 14-year-old.

Hooper described a time when Carter chose to go on an academic field trip instead of traveling with her teammates to a basketball game that was happening the same day.

“Most students would’ve gone to the game, but not JahKeria,” he said. “She said school comes first before sports.”

Carter said she enjoys being on the basketball team, but she also enjoys school and helping out in her community.

“I love school,” Carter said. “I also like to volunteer with the Natchez Stewpot and helping out around the community … just because it’s a good thing to do. … It makes me feel good to do good for others.

When she graduates from high school, Carter said she hopes to attend Louisiana State University and become a speech pathologist like her aunt.

Carter said she wants to help others learn better speech while helping herself learn new words.

In addition to playing basketball, Carter is the co-captain of the Emerald Elite dance team and is a member of the school choir and the National Beta Club.

Before attending the Natchez Freshman Academy this school year, she was an active member of the junior 4-H club in Vidalia and won numerous awards.

Carter also won an award for “best hustler” on the basketball team in seventh-grade for being quick on her feet, she said.

This school year, her peers elected her to be freshman homecoming maid.

Carter is the daughter of LaToya Carter and LaBrian Quinn.