Janae Winter recalls when she was in high school saying exactly, “I will never teach high school.”
She graduated from Bruce and attended Ole Miss earning a degree in history, with a minor in music, with the intention of pursuing a law degree.
“I took the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), but I never applied to law school,” she said. “It just didn’t feel right, so I took a year off and worked at Jeffery’s (on the square in Bruce) and it’s kind of one of those things that just worked out.”
She was approached about a history opening at Bruce High School and thought hard about it. She decided to pursue it and earned a masters and her teaching license through Mississippi State.
“I fell in love with teaching as soon as I started,” Winter said. “I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be. Now, I can’t imagine doing something else.”
She teaches U.S. history, world history and advanced placement history at Bruce High School.
“I’ve always loved history,” Winter said. “I’ll never forget an eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. with the SEEK class and fell in love.”
“My dad (Danny Harrelson) is a big history buff. He was always talking about it,” she explained. “My grandfather (Daniel Harrelson) was a World War II 
veteran, so I was always interested in the history. And Jeff Patton and Angie Newlin were the best teachers I ever had and probably influenced me in why I love it so much.”
“It’s a big story. It’s a big tale of how people have gotten along with each other or not gotten along with each other through the years.”
Teaching is far from Winter’s only passion. If you’ve ever attended a Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, Chamber of Commerce, local festival or other community event in Calhoun County you’ve likely heard Winter sing the national anthem somewhere.
“I couldn’t begin to guess at how many times I’ve sung it,” she said. “I’ve been doing it ever since I was in high school.”
Her singing began through church where her uncle, Jerry Harrelson, led the choir at Mt. Comfort.
“He always got me and my brother (Jahew Harrelson) involved,” she said. “My brother can sing very well. He just never pursued it.”
Winter did pursue it through lessons with Linda Ann Ward.
“She taught me everything I know,” Winter said.
“Any time I get to sing when Linda Ann plays, that’s my favorite,” Winter said. “That’s when I have the best time. We click.”
“She’s the best musical talent I know. She’s very gifted in what she does and always been a big cheerleader of mine. I enjoy singing with her in particular because if I ever mess up she can cover it up. I’m just real comfortable with her. I can be more myself as a singer with her than in any other setting.”
Winter said singing is a true calling.
“I feel like God gave me an ability. My mom (Debbi Harrelson) always told me if God gives you a talent and you don’t use it, it’ll be taken away,” Winter said. “I feel a purpose for me (to sing when called upon). Song kind of plays into the way I feel about history – it’s storytelling.”
Another passion of Winter’s is service and the Fine Arts Club of Bruce has been one of her primary vehicles.
“I think most everybody wants to help other people, but we don’t always have the means,” Winter said. “We’re all compassionate about improving things and being part of a group like Fine Arts lets you really have an impact.”
Winter’s impact has been considerable. She led the club’s fundraising efforts to update playground equipment at Bruce Elementary School and started the club’s annual Yard Sale project to generate scholarship funds for young people.
She’s been a member of the club since high school, starting out as a Juniorette where she was president two years and helped them earn Club of the Year. She was an auxiliary member through college and became a full member after graduating.
She was chosen by the Bruce organization as their Clubwoman of the Year in 2017. Then the district chose her for the regional honor.
She was at the state convention in Pearl when it was announced she was the state honoree.
“I was shocked. It was quite an honor,” Winter said. “All of my family was there. It was really nice. Apparently, everybody knew except me.”
Winter, 26, is married to J.J. Winter, manager of BancorpSouth in Bruce. Her motivation now in her teaching, singing and club work is to try and provide inspiration for others.
“I hope I can inspire my students to want to learn and excel,” she said. “In singing, I always hope that I am using my talent to inspire joy or comfort. In community service, I hope I can be an example for others in hopes that they too will share the gifts, talents, and passions they have been blessed with.”