NATCHEZ  — When Tavia Morris, 9, got her November STAR Assessment reading results back, the results indicated she was reading at the level of someone twice her age.

“I thought I was dreaming,” Morris said.

The Susie B. West Elementary student’s score of 12.3 means that, instead of reading at a fourth-grade level, her actual grade, she had a high school senior’s reading level.

“It’s the highest score I’ve ever made, so kind of exciting,” Morris said.

In October, her English language arts teacher Sandra Ellis said Morris was reading at approximately an eighth-grade level. The next month, her score jumped to 12.3.

Morris said the score made her proud, and she figured her mother, Paula Morris, would react well.

“I thought my mom was going to buy me ice cream,” Morris said.

Paula Morris said she was proud of her daughter. And, as a result, Tavia Morris said she got to go to Dairy Queen.

For December, the test became more difficult. Her reading level dropped slightly to 11.2 after taking 12th-grade reading questions.

But even an 11.2-reading level is still seven grades above her actual grade.

“I told her not to be disappointed, because that’s still something to be proud of,” Paula Morris said.

But even outside of testing, Tavia Morris likes books. She’s even started a book club for other students.

Other organizations she’s involved in include the Beta Club and the gifted program. Inside the classroom, her math and science teacher Katrenia McNeal said she’s a team player and helps others.

“She sits and she absorbs everything,” McNeal said.

Ellis said Morris is a great student.

“Whatever is put before her, she’s going to get it done,” Ellis said.

Morris is also writing a workbook for school for fun, and has spent two years as the district’s star speller. She’s attended state spelling competitions, and hopes to go to nationals one day.

The competitions hold a dual purpose for her.

“I’m learning and competing at the same time,” Morris said.

And the words aren’t always easy.

“Sometimes I have to download dictionaries on my tablet to pronounce them,” Morris said.

Out of all the words she came across, Morris said her favorite was “WYSIWYG,” an acronym for “what you see is what you get,” because, “It doesn’t sound like a word.”

But in between now and the possibility of nationals, there are a lot of words to study, and a few STAR assessments left. And, with Morris’ track record, it’s likely she’ll be heading back to the Dairy Queen again soon.

Morris is the daughter of Paula and Timothy Morris.