NATCHEZ — For soon-to-be Trinity Episcopal senior Madeline Iles, nine months of school was simply not enough education.

Before school got out for the summer, Iles decided to fix her educational problem by applying for Mississippi’s annual Governor’s School, a three-week honors program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

“It’s kind of a way to experience college life,” she said. “I got some great academic experience, I went to leadership seminars, and I got to hang around the other students there.”

Iles said 114 students from around the state flocked to the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus for the school.

“I had heard about the program at the beginning of the year, and I decided to apply for it,” she said. “It was excited when I got in, because I was going to be able to experience life outside of Natchez.”

Iles said part of the school’s program was allowing each student to select two classes they wanted to take during the three weeks they were there.

“I wound up getting abnormal psychology and speech and debate,” she said. “I really found an interest in these two things when the three weeks were over.”

Iles said that while the classes were a great learning tool, the experience she gained leaving Natchez and being out on her own will help her when she graduates next year.

“It helped me realize how comfortable I am here in Natchez, and the Governor’s School helped me step out of that comfort zone,” she said. “I am still nervous about life after high school, but I had some great experiences, and I met a bunch of great people, so I am a little more comfortable.

Iles keeps a 4.0 GPA at Trinity, and with college just around the corner, she said Governor’s School helped her prepare even more.

“We got three hours college credit for being part of the program,” she said. “It is going to be nice to have those three hours already done before I even start.”

Iles said she is unsure of where she wants to go to school and what she wants to do in life, but she does know she is ready to finish her last year at Trinity.

“I am just ready to get out in the world,” she said. “(Governor’s School) gave me hope that I will really enjoy college, and I just can’t wait.”

With school starting back in less than a month, Iles said she is going to be spending the remainder of her summer hanging out with her friends and preparing for another grueling year cheerleading.

Iles is the daughter of Greg and Carrie Iles.