Even though Jasmine Murray didn't make it out of the "American Idol" Top 13, she only has positive things to say about her experience on the search for the next singing sensation.

"The most rewarding thing for me has been to perform," the 16-year-old from Starkville, MS says. "That is what this competition is all about: singing and getting up and showing everybody what you can do. That has been so rewarding to me because I have been able to do that. I am so happy."

Since she is still a junior in high school, Jasmine's immediate plan is to finish high school and then enroll in college, but, "I really want to have a career in music, maybe other things, but this is where my heart is," she says.

With only one week in the Top 13, Jasmine didn't have much time to spend in the Beverly Hills mansion where the "Idol" hopefuls are being housed, but even so, she says she will miss the practice room.

"We had a big spacious area in the house that had wonderful acoustics and a keyboard. I am glad that they had that for us to practice. I am going to miss that. I used to go down there and practice my scales and my songs," she shares.

As for her choice of "I'll Be There," she says, "I thought it was a good song choice. It was a beautiful song. The Jackson Five, they were really young when they did it, so I thought it would be a good idea for me to do something they did when they were young. It was a great song with a great message."

"American Idol" returns next Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FOX.