A star on and off the stage

(FOREST GROVE) — Alina Harrison shines on the stage, but the young performer is also a star supporting actress in her community.

A Forest Grove High School sophomore, Harrison has been performing for most of her life. Starting dance when she was four years old, she eventually took on acting roles.

“I got involved with a musical theater class, which I took just to see how that would go. And I've kept with it ever since,” she said. “I started to focus on acting more, and I was expanding out in the community and my school, and I auditioned for my first play here last school year.”

For Harrison, theater is an outlet for creative expression and has helped her form connections and find herself.

“I do it a lot for the people. I really enjoy the people I find in theater because they're not afraid to just go out there and be who they are,” Harrison said. “I've tried to adapt to that skill and find myself. And I think that's made me the person who I am today.”

Juliet Prosser, acting and English teacher at the high school, worked with Harrison on the school’s production of “She Kills Monsters,” in which Harrison took on the lead role. According to Prosser, Harrison showed a level of preparation and dedication to her craft that stole the spotlight.

“I met Alina this year, and I was so lucky that she came in to audition — I was so impressed with her work ethic. She came in ready, and she was so focused every rehearsal,” Prosser said.

While the 15-year-old stands out on stage, she also supports her fellow castmates. According to Prosser, other students look up to Harrison, who sets an example and helps everyone around her improve.

“Alina is inspirational for all of her friends and also to other students in the theater department. She helps encourage them in the theater productions — especially with feeling more confident within themselves,” Prosser said.

Harrison’s selflessness extends beyond school. In her spare time, she volunteers to assist young dance students and advocates for students of all abilities through her involvement in unified activities.

“I went to this community-based activity program as a kid; it’s a camp where students with and without special needs come together,” Harrison explained.

Branching off from the camp, Harrison participated in Forest Grove High School’s unified sports and theater programs, working with other students to play basketball and act.

“She is an incredible role model and motivates others through example. She makes our school and community a better place through her energy and positivity,” said Jill Carey, a special education instructor at the high school. “She is an active participant in our unified sports and unified theater programs. She brings so much to our teams, creating a meaningful space where everyone belongs and has a great time.”

According to Harrison, unified activities have allowed her to contribute to her community in meaningful ways, breaking down barriers and helping develop accessibility opportunities.

“I definitely just want to make my school and my community a better place when it comes to special education because I think everybody should be able to feel wanted and appreciated,” Harrison said. “It’s about being a part of something more than just yourself.”

Although she is still young, Harrison is already eyeing different vocations. While she might find herself down a path of big dreams in performance, she said she would love to continue championing accessibility in special education.

“I don't know whether I want to go into more of the special education realm or the performing arts realm because I love both of them. Maybe I can find a way where I can combine both of those,” she said.