After two and a half years of serving as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at AHS, Bryan Harris, is preparing to transition to a new role at Hayfield Secondary School as the Interim Director of Student Activities.
His time at AHS has been filled with meaningful moments, and as he looks back on his work, there are several aspects that stand out as particularly rewarding.
“I think there are two things that have been the best parts of this job, whether at Annandale or anywhere else,” he said. “First, it’s the relationships with students and staff that develop over time. Getting to know people and their stories has been incredible. The other part is watching our kids compete and perform. They work so hard to prepare, and it’s always exciting to see the culmination of those efforts, whether it’s on a field, court, or stage,” he added.
One of the most rewarding projects during his tenure was the W4 Activities Day, an initiative he worked on alongside Director of Student Activities, Brandon Sutphin. The goal was to get more students involved in school activities, whether sports, clubs, or other school-related events.
“Mr. Sutphin and I always wanted to focus on getting more kids involved,” Harris said. “The W4 Activities Day was a wonderful experience. Watching it grow and evolve over the years has been something I’m especially proud of.”
Reflecting on how his time at Annandale has prepared him for his new position, Harris mentioned the invaluable experience he gained working with a larger school and navigating the systems in place within Fairfax County.
“Before coming to Annandale, I was at Meridian High School, so being here helped me understand the intricacies of working in a much larger school,” he explains. “Working alongside Mr. DeRose, Mr. Sutphin, and the entire Annandale administration has given me new perspectives on leadership and has made me much more capable than when I first arrived.”
While he’s excited for the challenges ahead, Harris admits that leaving Annandale won’t be easy.
“Annandale is an incredibly special place. The community and alumni are so supportive, and the students are dynamic. I’ll miss the little things the most—the daily interactions, fist bumps, recaps of the previous night’s events, and connecting with the students each day.”
His message to the Annandale students is clear: “I hope they remember that I was always supportive of every activity at the school, that I was accessible, and that I did everything I could to help them be successful,” he said. “And I also learned how important it is for us as administrators to make sure that our students feel safe and supported, especially when life outside of school can be a challenge.”
The AHS community recognizes the significant contributions Harris has made during his time at the school.
“We are deeply grateful for his time with us, and he will always be a valued member of the Annandale High School community,” Principal Shawn DeRose said.
Students can follow Harris’s journey with the Hawks on Instagram @hayfield_hawktivities.