At some point in Jessica Turner's anatomy and physiology class at Birmingham Groves, lights flashed and sirens blared.

"Through that class I really discovered a passion for medicine," she said. "I think right now that is what I'm going to pursue in college."

Helping her pursue that passion is Turner's amazing memory that played a part in her earning a 4.522 grade-point average and a 35 on the ACT.

But there is so much more to Turner than her incredible memory.

"A good memory doesn't really help you write a paper of your own ingenuity," she said. "I can study a bunch of terms for my anatomy class, but then I like thinking abstractly about things. I'm happy I have the study tools to kind of lock down the basics and leave time for me to think about things and to question things."

Turner also is an all-state golfer and a standout in basketball and softball, which made her learn how to spend time wisely.

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"I think I've had to kind of perfect my studying from playing sports all this time," she said. "I've had to cram everything into a couple of hours after practice. I think I study very efficiently, which I'm very proud of. I'm really happy that in no way do I think that I haven't worked hard enough to feel like I've earned all my successes."

Playing a part in her academic success has been Turner's voracity for reading, which has helped her excel in every class.

"I think I kind of read a little bit of everything," she said. "I don't think I had a specific genre. In high school we've read some Virginia Wolff, which I really liked. She's just a really fascinating person as well as author, so I'd say she's my favorite author."

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Free Press Scholar Athletes: Jessica Turner, Birmingham Groves