As music fills the auditorium, senior Annika Harris is center stage, performing “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Annika Harris is a student who loves singing and everything music. Fall is upon us, Harris’s favorite season, but also the start of her theater. Harris loves fall because of the way it stirs the imagination, something needed in the career path she hopes to pursue: theater and music.
Her passions for music came at an early age. In middle school, she took private music lessons which grew her interest in music and theater. Tatum Harris, assistant director of the drama department and Harris’ sister has helped her with her auditions, get into character and practiced lines with her.
She really wants to incorporate music, the thing she loves most, into her career. “I have always loved singing, it brings me joy,” Harris said.
Harris plans to go to a four year university and pursue her dreams of being a music or theater journalist. Additionally, she’s in Drama 2 and theater productions, but is also taking a music appreciation class at Ventura College.
Harris spends most of her afternoons staying home rewatching New Girl and singing. She loves listening to music by artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius, Lizzy McAlpine, and Taylor Swift. She enjoys watching videos of people interviewing her favorite artists because it motivates her.
After picking out the perfect song for her audition and practicing every chance she got, she was cast in the musical “The 25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and played Olive her sophomore year. Then last year, she was Natalie/Ed in “All Shook Up.”
Molly Ensminger, Harris’ drama teacher, adores and appreciates her being so responsible. Ensminger knows how well Harris shows ownership of her role in plays and a sense of confidence and maturity.
“She demonstrates leadership through her poise and her determination to the performance and knows how to act backstage,” Ensminger said. “She’s a beautiful singer and is graceful with everything she does.”
When she’s not rehearsing for an upcoming drama production, she is the president of the Interact club doing community service within our school. Interact club works with Ventura’s Rotary club, who is their sponsor and regular donor.
The club was active before the pandemic, but dissolved after COVID-19 school shutdowns. When Harris was a sophomore, her close friend Malia Brown got the club running again. Brown was president, but when she graduated that same year, Harris stepped up and took on the role.
“The excitement of starting something [made me want to run it],” Harris said. “Getting to be with friends and the first adviser Ms. Lanski,”
Interact club has created an Interact Care Closet in the wellness center for students and Fight for Hunger is another way the Adviser Interact club helps their community. This event takes place at Foothill and all Interact clubs from different local schools come together to package meals for people in need.
“It’s a fun way to meet other people from [different schools who also are in Interact club] and have similar interests as you,” Harris said.
Harris and former vice president Lyndie Brown did community service in Ventura and helped paint Lemon Grove elementary school’s classroom and school walls. Harris is also a teacher’s aid for her mom Eva Harris, who teaches emotional disturbance at Buena.
Harris has left her mark on Buena’s stage and the future looks bright for the star. Her passions and talents will fuel her future as a music-theater journalist.
“Any moment doesn’t define you, if you have a bad day, you have so many more days to live. One day is not who you are. You don’t need to dwell on all of the bad moments, but appreciate all of the better moments more,” Harris said.
