150WINTER SOCIAL CLUBS HARNESS Your Talent Sophomore Titans member Will Harness breaks club stereotypes. SOPHOMORE MEN’S social club Titans member Will Harness played a leading role of Walter Hobbs, Buddy the Elf’s dad, in the Homecoming production of “Elf the Musical.” Titans, a club normally known for their athleticism, presented themselves in a new way through their representation in the musical. Although Harness’s role initially came as a surprise, the members of Titans were supportive of this new involvement. Harness was known for his angelic voice among Titans according to senior Vice President of Titans Jay Pearcy. “We have a diverse group of guys with a bunch of different talents,” Pearcy said. “Titans is more than most people think. Will has shown that we are much more than meets the eye.” Harness could not attend many club activities due to his rehearsal schedule, but he still had an impact on recruitment. Because of his involvement in the musical, potential new members of the club saw that members of Titans extended across friend groups and were supportive of one another no matter what they chose to do. Within the theatre department, Harness was aware of how he represented his club to the cast and crew of “Elf.” He understood he was the bridge between theatre and Titans, and Harness worked hard to make sure both were represented well to one another. Harness’s high school theatre experience gave him the courage to audition for “Elf.” Junior Titans queen Maci Schmitz had known Harness since high school and was excited to see him excel on stage once again. “I think Will did an amazing job in ‘Elf,’ and the guys were really supportive of him,” Schmitz said. “He’s always been a star.” This decision brought him a new family that he quickly came to love. Following Homecoming, Harness prepared to return to Titans for the remainder of the school year and looked forward to Homecoming 2022 to return to his theatre family. “I am beyond grateful for the experiences that we shared in this process, and I could not be more proud of what we have all accomplished,” Harness said. “I would not trade the time I spent with [the Homecoming cast] for anything, but it is now time that I need to go be with my other family on campus, Titans.” WRITTEN BY HANNAH HACKWORTH COMMAND THE STAGE Sophomore Will Harness sings a solo next to junior Matthew Floyd during the Homecoming production of “Elf the Musical.” Harness played the role of Walter Hobbs, Buddy the Elf’s dad. Photo by: Jaxon Nash CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Sophomore Will Harness stands on stage front and center. Harness began acting in high school. Photo by: Jaxon Nash
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==