Renaissance Kid
Sports, theatre, academics, volunteering — no matter what it is, Harrison Rainey is always willing to try new activities and lend a helping hand. “Harrison is one of our most active school community leaders,” St. John’s Middle School principal Justin Smith says. “He proactively seeks out opportunities to help St. John’s student body, teachers and administration, and he is the first one to raise his hand when volunteers are needed.”
It was that can-do and want-to-do attitude that led Harrison to try out for the school play, “High School Musical Junior,” two years ago and audition for a speaking part in this year’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” Harrison says the experience helped him become more confident speaking in front of crowds, like during his presentation at this year’s Latin state meet, where he placed third in the region, and with his winning student council speech. “Being on stage gave me confidence in other areas,” Harrison says. “Last year when I gave my student council speech, I was shaking. This year I was much more confident.”
Harrison also plays basketball and soccer and is on competitive teams for swim and tennis, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and is an avid volunteer for many local organizations.
This year, NJHS members were asked to complete 20 service hours at some point during the 2018-19 school year. Harrison completed 105 just over the summer. He’s volunteered at a camp for younger students at St. John’s, gone on several mission trips, helped out at the Humane Society and organized food drives for and worked at Metropolitan Ministries.
“I like doing different things,” says Harrison. “I like meeting new people; I like helping people.”
