Brookhaven’s newest celebrity is on her way home – a little tooearly but not a moment too soon.

“I’m ready to come home, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be sosoon,” said Mississippi School of the Arts junior Jasmine MurrayThursday following her Wednesday night elimination from “AmericanIdol.”

Murray, 17, spoke with media outlets from across the countryduring a conference call interview Thursday.

The Columbus native caught the attention of the state and nationduring an approximately eight-week run on FOX’s mega-hit talentshow, bringing pride to Mississippians and welcome attention to theMississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven. MSA officials believenext year’s enrollment will likely increase as a result of Murray’sfame.

The fan support Murray received during her time on the show didnot go unnoticed.

“Support from people means so much to me,” she said. “I’m sohappy to know I had fans and that people actually like to hear mesing.”

Murray was also appreciative of her classmates’ support and islooking forward to seeing them again. She is expected to be back atMSA after Spring Break.

“When I get back to school, I’m just going to be happy to seethem and talk to them and catch up,” Murray said. “They’re all myfriends and I miss them so much.”

Murray is done with the “American Idol” competition, but notwith music. She wants to continue her post-MSA musical education atthe American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and theBelmont School of Music in Nashville, Tenn.

“I’m definitely going to keep singing and pursue my dreams,”Murray said. “I really want to have a career in music.”

Murray said she was pleased to have been a part of “AmericanIdol” and proud of the moments she was afforded to take the stagebefore the nation.

“The most rewarding thing for me has just been being able toperform,” she said. “That’s what the competition is all about -singing. I’ve been getting up there and showing everyone what I cando, and that’s been most rewarding to me.”