Rhodes reconizes Rose's rowdiest rampant
When most 17 year olds enter their final year of high school, they usually are overcome with bittersweet feelings. Excited for a new chapter that is soon to begin, but sad for a one coming to a close. To be fair, the season of “lasts” is approaching for these seniors. The last first day of school, the last spirit week, and for some, the last time attending a Rose High football game. For Tamra Harris though, attending Rose athletic events never ceased after she graduated in 1989.
Harris grew up in Greenville for her entire childhood and was privileged to attend Rose. As a Rampant, she spent her time enjoying the academics that the school had to offer as well as other extra curricular activities.
“When I was in high school, I was in show choir, which would be what y'all would call the dance team now,” Harris said.
She attended Pitt Community College to receive her associates degree after graduating from Rose. Later, she received a Bachelors of Science in Middle Grades Education with Concentrations in Math and History from East Carolina University.
Although many things have changed about Rose since Harris’ departure, such as the physical location and staff, one thing has remained consistent: The School Spirit.
“One thing I love is the rowdy rampants…I love seeing them at the game, supporting the players and the teams…I love that y'all have the themes now for each game, we didn't have that back at school,” Harris said.”We just came to the game and supported it.”
Throughout her years teaching at E.B. Aycock Middle School, Harris has formed many relationships with students that feed into Rose and continues to keep up with previous students, especially if they are a Rampant.
One student of Harris’ is Trashawn Matthews: A 2015 alumni, and current Rose Football Offensive Line coach and Run Game coordinator. Harris has been a part of Matthews’ life since his middle school years and has not stopped supporting him since they met.
“[She was] a passionate teacher that really loved the kids and loved her job,” Matthews said. “Even after going through high school, college and just life, she's always been more than just a former teacher…[she] has been like, a role model.”
Although Harris may not be checking Matthews’ multiplication tables anymore, she is still keeping a good watch over him as he takes on his own passions.
“It makes me feel good on Friday nights when I coach, [or] Thursday nights at JV games… just seeing her [in the stands] kind of gives me a calming presence,” Matthews said.
Harris is currently teaching at South Central High School, and despite teaching at a different school, she will always pull for the team in green and blue.
“I think football is probably my favorite... you will always see me on the track with the cheerleaders, because I always take pictures at the games, and I do the score for Max Preps, so I'm always on the sidelines. Harris said. “I love everything, I'm at basketball, baseball, volleyball…”
Being present at such a variety of Rose athletic events, there is one thing that takes the cake for Harris’ favorite memory each season…
“Every time we beat Conley, that's my best memory,” Harris said. “Conley is our rival school, I will go to the game and I will definitely cheer hard, even if we lose, as long as we played our best…but beating Conley, that's the best day of the year.”
With cross town rivalries, Harris recognizes how tense these big games can get, but she emphasizes the importance on cheering on the Rampants, without belittling other teams.
“We gotta always be classy, not trashy,” Harris said. “Wear your blue and green with pride everywhere you go.”
Not only does Harris appreciate the work that Rose athletes put in on the court or field, but also the effort they show in the classroom.
“I try to make it into awards day at the end of the year for senior recognition, and they always get millions of dollars of scholarships,” Harris said. “They're not just athletes, they're student athletes...they take their academics serious.”
Whether it was performing and cheering on her school on the sidelines in 1989, or coming to athletic signings, state championships, or major rivalry games in 2026, Harris lives by one motto that has seeped into her rampant loving blood…
“What's it like to be them? We don't know, because we don't stoop that low. We're Rampants, we're Rowdy Rampants, and we proud.”