GBHS student an inspiration to all
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Whitney Harris shows off her new 2006 Jeep Wrangler with right side driving controls last week.

Some people will always emit a positive attitude, no matter what their situation might be. These are the kind of individuals that give others perspective. Whitney Harris, 16, is one of those people. Her peers describe her as "unbelievable" and "inspirational" but Harris takes it all in stride.

It's quite obvious why Harris would be seen as inspirational to others. The Gulf Breeze High School (GBHS) junior doesn't let the fact that she wears a prosthetic leg keep her from playing varsity basketball. Nor does she let the absence of a right hand keep her from playing the mallets in the band. She also baby sits on the weekend for extra cash and leads other students as president of the GBHS knitting club.

When asked her response to her classmates' praise, Harris grinned softly and said, "It's more like they're an inspiration to me. Seeing them work harder makes me want to work harder."

The cheerful teenager doesn't refer to her condition as a handicap and already understands her place in life - a realization that takes some an entire lifetime to comprehend.

"I guess technically it is a handicap, but I don't think it's one," she said. "It doesn't hold me back, it makes me want to be better. I'm not big on complaining. I think my purpose in life is to work harder and show other people how to not take things for granted."

Harris recently received her driver's license and her first vehicle, a 2006 white Jeep Wrangler with driver controls on the right hand side. She said the British style controls are easier for her to use left-handed.

Her adaptability and positive attitude are what enable her to be successful at such a young age, despite being born without a right hand or foot.

"She's one of the reasons I go to work everyday," said GBHS girls varsity basketball coach Jarrod Denmon. "When she first came to me she said 'Coach, I won't make the times but I will finish everything.' She makes no excuses. She gets everything done. She doesn't want to be treated any differently."

After finishing high school, Harris said she wants to attend college and become a prosthetist and develop a highheeled prosthetic leg.

"I can't wear high-heels and I'd give anything to wear them," she said.

Harris maintains that keeping busy is also what helps keep her chipper. The young student said she wouldn't be able to play basketball if she couldn't also play in the band.

"People always ask my why I do both and it's because I can't do one without the other. They're a big aspect of my life and I can't choose. Playing an instrument makes me more creative and basketball keeps me in shape. Together they keep me well rounded."

Harris recently scored her first goal as a varsity player in a game against the Washington Wildcats last month.