Phi Beta Kappa Book Award Presented to Senior Harris Smith

We are Knight Proud of Class of 2024 member Harris Jacqueline Smith who is this year’s SMR St. Mary’s College of Maryland Phi Beta Kappa Book Award winner.  

Each year for the past 22 years, the St. Mary’s College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa has honored a senior from each of St. Mary’s County’s High Schools.  Candidates for this award are chosen for their academic excellence, breadth of study, and good character.  Each awardee is given 2 books chosen for their own special interests and talents.  Harris received a copy of BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art and The Body:  A Guide for Occupants.

Harris is an exceptional student.  She is a member of SMR’s Scholars Program in Bio-medical Science.  She is a member of the Science National Honor Society and serves as their Public Relations Officer.  She is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society. She is a member of the Psi Alpha (National Psychology Honors Soceity). She is a member of Future Medical Professionals and Black Student Union.  Harris is a Varsity Athlete (Cheerleading) and leads as the team’s Captain.  She has been recognized by the College Board’s African American Recognition Program.

She has served as a volunteer with Calvert Health, assuring patient comfort.

Harris currently holds a 3.96 unweighted GPA (4.4 weighted GPA).  

Harris is proud of her attention to the Xaverian values and notes the way she understands, “humility”:  “I know, as a sixteen-year-old, I do not know everything. Even if I have good grades or this or that, it really does not mean much in the grand scheme of things. I take time to make sure to listen to others around me, especially those who have more knowledge than me, like my peers, family members, teachers, coaches, and more. I take in everything around me no matter superficial things, like grades, to try and better improve myself in the long run.”

Congratulations, Harris!