Stone Mountain High School senior quarterback Jhyree Harris (left) accepts a laptop computer from principal Carolyn Williams to honor Harris’ recent deed to prevent a theft at school. Photo by Mark Brock

by Mark Brock

Doing the right thing can be tough for a high school student these days, but Stone Mountain senior quarterback Jhyree Harris did just that by helping a fellow student in need.

Harris saw a theft in progress at school and stepped in to help a freshman he had never met before that day.

“I had never seen anything like that happening here at school before and I just reacted to help the kid out,” said Harris. “I am not usually in that part of the building and did not even know the other student.”

His coach and his principal describe the senior as quite good academically, laid back and quiet.

“I told him and the team you have to be leaders on the field and in the classroom,” said Dante’ Ferguson, head football coach at Stone Mountain. “I tell them you have to win the battle in the building to be successful in all things. Jhryee’s act really surprised me because he is so quiet so I guess some of those after-practice talks seeped in to him. He has really stepped up as more of a leader on the field this year.”

Harris has received football scholarship offers from Florida International and Western Carolina while receiving attention from Auburn and West Virginia as well as several other colleges.

Stone Mountain principal Carolyn Williams recognized Harris in a meeting with the football team by presenting him with a certificate for his act and lunch with her at school. She also used some of her student incentive funds to present him with a laptop he will be able to use this year, and as he moves on to college next fall.

“We talked about how the athletes play a leadership role in the school and

how we challenged them in this important role,” said Williams. “Jhyree met this challenge in this situation as a leader, and I just wanted him to know how proud I was of him and the other players.”

Harris’ mother, Dedra Allen, was also surprised at Harris getting involved because he is so laid back.

“I am proud of him and scared as well,” said Allen. “I was like, ‘you did what?’ You just never know how those situations can end up.”