NATCHEZ — Natchez Early College Academy 10th-grader Erika Burkes has been recently selected to be a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

A statement released by NSHSS states the organization had been founded in 2002 to support the academic endeavors of its members with scholarships, college fairs, internships, career and leadership opportunities.

“On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Erika has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said NSHSS founder and chairman Claes Nobel. “Erika is now a member of a unique community of scholars — a community that represents our very best hope for the future.”

Burkes said she had no idea she had been chosen for membership until the organization spotted her based on her academic performance.

“They picked me for my grades and sent me a letter in the mail two weeks ago,” Burkes said.

Burkes said she excels in most of her courses at NECA — including English III, calculus, physical science and economics — adding her English and science classes have been her biggest passion.

“I’ve always liked to read and break things down to learn their deeper meaning … mostly documentary type books,” Burkes said. “In science, I like to work with hands-on experiments and activities.”

Burkes said she also enjoys drawing, singing in her church and school choir and is a member of the National Beta Club.

Burkes said she aspires to be a nurse practitioner like her grandmother Margaret Richardson, who is retired from the field.

“I like to help others and work hands-on,” Burkes said, “and I feel like that is a job that would allow me to do both. … My older sister (Kiara Burkes) is studying to be a nurse and I enjoy helping her study with flashcards — mostly anatomy and physiology and microbiology.”

When she graduates from NECA, Burkes said she plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi.

She is the daughter of Lillie Burkes and the late Eric Burkes.