Opportunity could be waiting around every corner. You just never know, said TaLesa Harris.

She found opportunity lurking around while on a field trip to Atlanta with Lesa Wood’s English class at Charles Henderson High School.

“We went to see the Medieval Times dinner and jousting tournament and also got to go to the mall,” Harris said. “I just happened to see a promotion for Model Productions. I had always wanted to go into something like that so I signed up. In a couple of days, I got a call and I was right back in Atlanta.”

Harris didn’t know what to expect. She was just hopeful that it would be the opportunity that could open doors for her.

She graduated from Charles Henderson High School in 2007 and enrolled at Troy University where she is majoring in broadcast journalism and theater. But she is also pursuing the opportunities that she has found just by opening a few doors on her own.

“My first opportunity came from that day in Atlanta,” she said. “That modeling company got me in ‘Fresh Face’ magazine, but I’ve also done some self-promotions on the Internet that have resulted in some great opportunities. I’ve had walk-on roles in Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Payne,’ and ‘Meet the Browns’ and on ‘Drop Dead Diva.’ I was on the Agape Awards with Dr. Bobby Jones and Vickie Winans.”

Harris has also had a couple of speaking roles, one as the “girlfriend” in the movie, “Single in the ATL,” and the other as the “girlfriend” in “Life in the Fast Lane.”

“I’m very excited about another opportunity in Atlanta,” Harris said.

“I will be joining Yolanda Zellous, who is a casting director, actress and model, in presenting a fashion show at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Marietta, Georgia in June. “This is a great opportunity for me to work with someone of the reputation of Yolanda Zellous. The more contacts you have, the more opportunities you have.”

Harris said had she not taken that field trip to Atlanta with her English class she might never have had the opportunities to be in magazines, on television and on the big screen.

“You just have to believe in yourself and go out and look for the opportunities,” she said.

“They might not come to you. So, you have to look for them.”

Harris said it has not been easy finding open doors and it can be rather expensive.

“Through the contacts that I’ve made, I hope to be able to bring some of these opportunities to people here in Troy and Pike County,” she said.

“I’d like to be able to help people who want to get into the modeling and entertainment business. I think the experiences that I’ve had would be helpful and I’m willing to share what I’ve learned. And, I’m going to keep looking for open doors for me.”

For those who would like to contact her, Harris’ e-mail address is talesajones@yahoo.com.