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Shy teen makes herself heard

Emotionally surviving the loss of a sibling can be difficult at best. But when that person is your only sibling and your best friend, the loss can seem overwhelming - especially when you're only 14. The loss of Angela Herron's sister really hurt, said Herron's mom, Jeanne T. Herron. "She has always been so extremely shy, and because of that for a long time I think she found it very difficult to express her feelings toward her sister's death," she said. But thanks to a strong support system at home and school, that's no longer the case. Herron, 17, a Tucson High Magnet School senior, said high school has helped her to become more outgoing and vocal about what she feels. Jeanne Kathleen Herron died at age 18 from brain cancer when Angela Herron was a freshman. Her sister's death left the teen to carry on the family's legacy at the school. Angela Herron is a third-generation Tucson High Badger. Her grandfather, Dr. Floyd Thompson, was among the first African-American students to attend the school. He graduated from Tucson High in 1932. Her mother graduated from the school in 1971. The girls shared similar interests. Angela Herron participated in the school's marching band color guard and plays in the band's advanced steel drums group, which is named Jovert. Her sister participated in the marching and concert bands. "My sister really inspired me and motivated me to be the best that I could be," Herron said. And being the best is exactly what she strives for. Herron has excelled in her musical talent. She has played the steel drums - 55-gallon steel barrels that have been cut and pounded with a hammer to produce different musical sounds - for about three years and said it is one of her favorite things to do. She has participated in the color guard since her freshman year and said she gets a real kick out of performing at the school's sporting events and in competitions. In addition to her extra-curricular activities, Herron, who has a 2.8 grade-point average, volunteers after school as an office assistant and works concessions during the Tucson High boys' basketball games. She received awards for perfect attendance, along with a marching band letter and numbers. Herron said she owes all of her success to her parents for supporting and believing in her while always encouraging her to do her best. The lessons Herron said she takes from her high school experience are: Be strong; express your emotions and realize that high school is not just about hard work, it's also about memories. Herron said she plans to attend Pima Community College, then transfer to the University of Arizona to major in hotel management or culinary arts.