Restoring House Harris

What family means to me is “leaving an inheritance to my children’s children” (Proverbs, 13:22). Northwestern has given me this opportunity to receive a high-quality education that will enable me to make a living for myself and my family. I have two children, a 28-year-old daughter named Anna and a 20-year-old son named Ashton. I am a junior to my father, Anthony S. Harris Sr. My father’s nickname, when he competed in martial arts tournaments, was Tony “Iron Fist” Harris. So, Iron Fist will be our family sign, and our family saying comes from the Greek playwright Sophocles: “Certainly thou art iron, like thy name.”

My father expects me to come home and finish restoring House Harris to its glory, to put House Harris in a position to have a dynasty that will last a thousand years. My son Ashton is the male heir after me. His full name is Ashton Saige Harris, in keeping with the tradition of the Harrises having the initials “A.S.H.” Tradition is important in the Harris Family, and NPEP has afforded me the chance to continue the family tradition of receiving a bachelor’s degree.

It is now my duty as the heir to House Harris to take this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity to receive an elite education from a top 10 university, and to be a shining example to my father, to my daughter, and to my son of what an education can do to transform.

When I graduate and when my son graduates, there will be four generations of Harrises with at least a bachelor’s degree. My grandfather Charles Harris started the tradition of bachelor’s degree graduates, and it has continued with my father, my daughter, and soon myself and my son. Education is important in my family, second only to God. My family are educators who have dedicated their lives to teaching society’s future. I want to carry on that tradition, and I believe it’s possible to make a living while also making a positive impact.

“I am the Prodigal Son, now coming to my senses” (Luke 15:17). I am now ready to lead House Harris, for like Alexandre Dumas’s Musketeer d’Artagnan, I have “thews [muscles] of iron and a wrist of steel.” It matters to me what my two kids think of me. I want my kids to be able to say, “Yes, my dad went to prison, but look at what he did while he was in prison. He graduated from Northwestern University and he has now come home and is an asset to the family and not a liability.”

House Harris Coat of Arms

By Anthony Harris

The two fists are modeled after the actual fists of Anthony S. Harris Sr., shown in a martial arts pose. The black belt with ten white stripes signifies his rank as a tenth-degree black belt.

At the top of the shield is a book, symbolizing education, a proud Harris family tradition. In the bottom right corner are the Harris initials: A.S.H.

Lastly, the quotation on the shield — “Certainly thou art iron, like thy name” — is our family saying. This quote reflects our pride, our strength, and our legacy. We come from a strong man — my grandfather — and thanks to my father, iron has entered our souls.