South STL native excelling at Princeton University
ST. LOUIS - Joseph Harris, a first-generation college student from South City, is starting his sophomore year at Princeton University this fall, balancing a rigorous academic schedule with football practice.
Harris, who hails from South St. Louis, has overcome humble beginnings to earn a spot at the prestigious Ivy League institution. His dedication to both academics and athletics has been a driving force in his journey.
"It was kind of surreal to me. I’m a first generation college student so the whole idea was new to me," Harris said, reflecting on his acceptance to Princeton.
Harris attended St. Louis Language Immersion School from kindergarten through eighth grade, where he learned Spanish, and then went on to become a high-achieving student at SLU High School.
During his time at SLU High, Harris was recognized as an Academic All-American Honorable Mention and was honored as Academic All-State three times. He was also involved in the Car Club and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
Harris credits his parents for instilling strong values and confidence in him, which have helped him navigate the challenges of being a first-generation college student.
"It gives me a lot of motivation and excitement even on the hard days during camp when it’s difficult with football to wake up early long night studying at the end is all worth it," Harris said.
Harris takes his role as a leader seriously, especially as a role model for his three younger brothers. "Don’t fall into peer pressure," he advises. "You always need to have motivation and go out of the way to be a leader."
As Joseph Harris embarks on another semester at Princeton, he carries with him the lessons and values from his upbringing in South City, determined to succeed both on and off the field. "Oh this season I’m not gonna play. I’m taking over this season. It’s about time," he confidently states.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.
