From being the school mascot last year to advocating for the student body at Arvada West High School everyday through Student Council, Student Body Vice President Jack Harris’ journey of being in high school is absolutely nothing short of encouraging and motivating.
Becoming a senior at A-West has its challenges, but for Harris, it’s proved to be an amazing start to the year. Senior year is such a special and notable year for students, including senior activities such as another off block, and senior-only classes.
“I’ve liked the workload a lot. It seems like it’s definitely a lighter step than going through junior year, where I was stressed out all the time. But this year, I don’t have as much homework, and it’s just so much easier,” explains Harris.
Like everyone, Harris has his passions. For him, they range from fishing to even working tirelessly for the student body. “I’m really big into fishing, and then obviously helping the student body as a whole. I’ve been in Stu-Co for four years, and am now being able to help the school every way I can,” Harris states. Being in Stu-Co for as long as he has, he has been taught many effective skills, along with being a leader.
As much as Harris is a leader at A-West, Harris has had a tremendous impact on the student body.
“I feel like I’m someone the student body can ask questions to, and I get asked a lot of questions. It’s just being able to have an answer for everyone has been really helpful,” Harris adds. As someone that knows A-West like the back of his hand, it’s what makes Harris such a strong leader.
Each student at A-West has a class they enjoy the most, and Harris mentions, “My favorite class is marine biology. One, because it’s a senior-only class, but two, it’s just that Mr. Kansteiner is awesome. He’s a great teacher.” As a senior-only class, it offers several advantages: a more focused environment, preparation for college, and a strong sense of camaraderie among students. Since Harris enjoys fishing, it’s a given that his favorite class might be marine biology.
Harris is many things, but shy is certainly not one of them. His extroverted self comes out in any scenario, whether he’s in a classroom, at a social event, or leading a group project. Harris thrives in environments where he can interact with others.
“I feel like I’m a good leader. I can step up when I need to, and I feel like I’m also great with communication. I can talk a lot, I’m a big yapper, I will talk a lot. I can create a conversation with anybody, from any group, and I’ll be able to find some sort of common ground,” Harris exclaims.
His capability to communicate effectively makes him a natural born leader, someone to look up to, and rely on. His outgoing nature is a way to make sure he makes a positive impact on the student body.
As much as Harris loves participating in school events and functions, family holds a special place in his heart. He cherishes the time spent with his loved ones, and values all the support they provide.
“My Dad died of COVID-19 in 2020, and that really set me back. So, I’ve become really close with my uncle. He’s really stepped up as that “father figure” role. He’s lived up the street from me my entire life, and he’s been there throughout this entire process. I would say he’s definitely the person I’m closest to,” Harris says.
This tragic loss brought huge changes to his life, but it also strengthened his bond with other family members. Harris often reflects on the importance of family, and how his family has shaped who he is as a person.
High school offers many opportunities for everyone regardless of different backgrounds, but for seniors, college is already in mind, and arguably the most exciting time to prepare for. The anxiousness of waiting to come across new experiences, the chance to find something worth being passionate about pursuing, and of course meeting a variety of new people.
“I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I’m going to go for business, and I want to get a degree in supply chain management. I also like engineering, but right now it’s business because it opens up so many career opportunities. I hate that this is the world we live in, but you have to have a career in this world, and I want to give myself the best chance possible,” Harris states.
Although high school can be frustrating with grades, extracurricular activities, and combating homework, many memories are made along the way. Whether that be at a volleyball game, or simply walking to class, these moments tend to add up to create an unforgettable experience. Harris adds that one of his favorite high school memories was indeed at a football game. The football games, always filled to the rim with school spirit are the events that stand out the most. Many still have memories of going to football games in high school.
“My freshman year, at the homecoming football game, we had a ‘Hail Mary’ against Columbine. I’m definitely going to remember that for a long time. My worst moment was during my freshman year, the school had me do the flag ceremony for Veterans day, and I broke the flagpole in front of the entire school. We hooked the flag on, and someone just told me to keep cranking, and then we just heard a loud snap. It was pretty funny,” Harris adds.
Accomplishments often come in the form of the actions people take in a given situation, demonstrating their ability to navigate challenges; but being able to openly speak about their hardships to help others is a rare gift.
Harris explains, “I’m proud of overcoming my dad’s loss because he was my best friend, and being there for my mom and sister and then ended up being okay. Also sticking with Stu-Co, and coming back from a knee injury since I had knee surgery. I’m just proud of overcoming everything, still being okay, and being able to openly talk about it.”
Talking about this subject comes easy to Harris because he does a great job at encouraging people with his stories, and explaining how he’s combated his troubles.
Similar to any other philosophical word, the word ‘success’ is defined differently by many. To Harris, success looks like one thing in particular.
“For me, success looks like whatever you’re happy doing. A lot of people will measure success in terms of money or power, but if you’re happy with what you’re doing and have goals for yourself, that’s what success is. Always having something you can do better, too,” Harris says.
Due to the staff here at A-West, it is easy for students to have a favorite teacher who has had a massive impact on them in their time in high school. This admission from Harris tugs on the heart strings, as well as shows the depth and value of what the staff has to offer to all students.
Harris says proudly, “Mrs. Welsh has had the biggest impact on me. Obviously being the Stu-Co sponsor, and being with her for four years, she has seen me grow not only as a person, but also as a leader. I know that if I had anything to talk to her about, I know I could go to her, and in a heartbeat she’d be there.”
Through triumphs and hardships, everyone is capable of learning lessons throughout life. Especially in high school, making new friends, learning new subjects and adapting to all different types of situations.
Harris goes above and beyond and explains, “The most important lesson I have learned is time. You think you have all the time in the world, I thought I had plenty of time. Now, senior year is here, and I’m applying to colleges. I’m getting ready to move onto the next stage of my life, and I thought I had lots of time, but I didn’t. Use your time to your advantage, and use your time for the most potential things you can.“
Since Harris has been going to school at Arvada West, he has made friends with incredible ease. Gigi Syzek has known Harris since he was a freshman.
“When I met Jack our freshman year, he was a short kid with an awful mullet, but through the years he’s become such a staple for Stu-Co; almost like the glue of the classroom environment. He never fails to ask the people around him how their day is going, and always offers a helping hand when people are struggling,” Syzek mentions.
Harris works hard for the A-West community by doing many things, everyday. Syzek says, “Jack has contributed to A-West in a lot of ways, I would say the most outstanding is how he shows up for our athletics program. I don’t think he’s missed a football or volleyball game yet, out of all the people I know he has the most school spirit.”
Change is something that is inevitable. To change is to grow, and most have many stories to tell along the way of growth. Harris believes he has changed tremendously throughout his years in high school.
“I’ve become a much more outgoing person. After my dad’s death, I was very introverted and quiet. I came from a school where I had known the same 50 kids for eight years, and I was suddenly in a school with many more people. I went to Excel Academy, we would get a few new kids every couple of years, but other than that it was overwhelming. Stepping out of my shell, and becoming somebody who could get along with others, that’s how I have grown the most,” Harris adds.
Some advice from Harris is to have as much fun as possible throughout the course of high school, and a way many can achieve that according to Harris is to join as many clubs as you can.
“Join every club you can, because this is my senior year and I want to join more clubs. I’m joining all sorts of random clubs this year because I want to fill all my time because life is coming. I’m going to be joining DECA, Pickleball Club, Rock Climbing Club, and maybe even ESports because Mr. Villanueva told me to. But all in all, take advantage,” Harris admits.
With someone who is a social butterfly and as skillful as Student Body Vice President Jack Harris, the A-West student body is able to conclude how much pride Harris takes in his capabilities, his school spirit, and in having connections with other people.
Therefore, when Harris was asked if there was any advice he’d like to give incoming freshman as a well-standing senior, Harris concludes by saying, “Take advantage of this opportunity. Don’t think you’re too cool because you’re in high school now. Go have fun. Live. Because it’s going to fly by.”
