NATCHEZ — All the world is a book to Brooke Wiley.

The Trinity Episcopal Day School senior has a curiosity about life and a desire to learn that’s surprising even to her teachers.

“She’s so curious it’s unbelievable,” said Trinity teacher Gwen Young, who’s taught Wiley all but one year since Wiley was in the eighth grade.

The 18-year-old has the accolades one would expect from an exceptional student — Honor Society, Key Club. She’s also an active volunteer and a cheerleader.

What sets her apart, Young said, is Wiley’s humility and commitment.

“Because she is rather reserved, I don’t think people realize how much she does as far as volunteer efforts and community activities,” Young said.

Wiley commits herself to academics as well, Young said.

“You would think each class she has is her only one,” Young said. “That’s the level of commitment she has, and it’s such a genuine commitment.”

Wiley is president of a book club Wiley said was Young’s idea to start. It’s called CASKETS — Cask Acquisition Sustains Keenly Excessive Tome Search.

“Basically, it’s a book club about finding that book you want to be buried with because you love it so much (and) it changed you,” Wiley said.

Wiley’s casket book is currently “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott.

Wiley’s desire to learn started at an early age.

“I love to learn; I know that sounds weird, but it’s true,” she said. “My whole family puts a lot of emphasis on learning, and it’s important for everyone in my family to enjoy learning.”

For Wiley, most of her learning comes from reading books.

“I really like to read,” she said. “My mother read to me, my older sisters read to me. I’ve always been encouraged to read and learn and explore what I want to explore.”

And she reads almost anything.

“I’m really interested in what happens in the world, and I feel like books help me understand what happens in the world,” she said.

While she loves reading, she’s actually pretty good at math as well.

Wiley will likely be heading to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she plans to study civil engineering.

Wiley wants to start out at Midwestern, a smaller school near family, but hopes to eventually transfer to the University of Texas at Austin.

She’s leaning toward civil engineering after initially becoming interested in architecture. Wiley said she would like to work on infrastructure projects after completing her degree.

“I’m interested in roads, bridges, infrastructure,” she said. “I think it’s so important because our infrastructure is so terrible around the country, and it kills me on the inside. I would like to be a part of rebuilding it.”

Whatever she decides to do, Young is confident Wiley will succeed.

“She’s so academically talented, that coupled with her curiosity and desire to learn, anything she attempts to do she’ll succeed,” Young said.

Wiley is the daughter of Dalton and Kristine Wiley