Hailey Forry, 17, is not only Pahrump's Adult Education Fast Track 2009 Valedictorian but she is also a writer and poet. Currently, Hailey is working on a novel which she began last July.

"I didn't really get serious about writing it until this January," Forry said. The novel will be a part of a fantasy series with hints of romance. The characters will be young, but not as young, for example, as Harry Potter. The characters will be placed in situations that seem unbelievable, but the characters, Forry hopes, will be believable and connectable.

"It's the core to a good story," Forry said.

Forry began writing poetry when she was a child and eventually it led to her writing stories. Her writing inspirations come from poets Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Forry has a love for detail and the flow that comes from poetry. She often finds herself most inspired to write after 10 p.m. or in the early morning.

"You can read one of Dickinson's poems multiple times and each time get a different meaning," Forry said. "I love how poetry flows, all the details that are in poetry. With poetry, you can feel the wind blowing, you can see the details in the flowers. That's what I want with my novel."

Forry plans for this summer to be a chance to continue writing her novel.