Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of articles spotlighting the valedictorians from each of the schools in Dallas County.

Attending a college close to home is an added bonus for recent Keith High School graduate Kamyra Turner, who said she was excited to have the opportunity to attend Wallace Community College in the fall.

Turner, who was named valedictorian for Keith’s Class of 2012 and boasts a high school GPA of 4.2, said she has always made good grades and now plans to enroll in Wallace Community College’s licensed practical nurse program.

“I want to go into the LPN program at Wallace, but I plan on possibly going back to school to major in radiation therapy to treat cancer patients,” Turner said. “I’ve seen lots of losses through cancer and I just want to help cancer patients.”

Since graduating from Keith last Thursday, Turner said she has enrolled in summer school to take a few classes and help herself get ahead before starting at Wallace in the fall.

Turner, who said she enjoys reading and listening to music in her free time, said she is excited for the next chapter in her life to begin.

“I’m most excited about the curriculum at Wallace because I think it sounds challenging,” she said. “I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m ready to get started and experience life in college. I’m excited.”

And while she’s ready for classes to begin in the fall, Turner said it will be hard to leave her friends and all those that she’s met while enrolled at Keith behind.

“I’m going to miss seeing all of the people that I’m used to seeing and the teachers,” Turner said. “I guess I just have to start getting acclimated to college life.”

Turner was both a manager and a member of the Keith High School band, elected to the Student Government Association, worked as an office aid and tutor for her classmates and was a member of the National Honor Society, among other activities.