For as long as there have been high schools, the term “big man on campus” has been thrown around to denote those high-achieving types who have larger-than-life impacts on their schools. Both his teachers and his peers know that no student can the phrase be more readily applied to than North Atlanta senior Drew Barber. 

Few seniors have had as big an impact on the school of Class of 2022 as this standout 17-year-old. From the day he first walked into the building as a freshman in fall 2018 up to this point in his high school arc when he features as Mr. North Atlanta for homecoming, the lead in this year’s musical “Chicago,” and a dynamic and prominent leader for the Black Student Union. No matter what he sets his hand to do, Barber makes it his business to lead and to make his known in every positive way. 

From the very start of this time at North, Barber has made it his aim to get things done. As a freshman Barber joined Academic Bowl, K-Pop Club, varsity swim team, Bel Canto Chorus and Robotics Club. “During my freshman year I wanted to do so many things, so I thought the best way for me to do that was to join all the clubs I was interested in,” said Barber.

Once he became a sophomore he joined Thespian Society, Beta Club, and the Black Student Union (where he now serves as president). The last part of his sophomore year was cut short due to COVID and he was at home all of his junior year but that did not stop Drew from being amazing. “COVID gave me a chance to focus on me as an individual, but also find out who I was without the pressures from students and peers.”  

Being a star student like Drew doesn’t just happen overnight. Barber said he credits his parents, past struggles with school, and his aspirations for the future for his current success we see today. “In the past I used to struggle with my academics and in my social life at school. With my parents’ support and my dreams of becoming an actor with my own theater arts school, I have been able to channel that drive into my school work and always want to do my best in every subject and be involved in my school’s many activities. I’m putting my best foot forward to make my parents proud and myself proud.”

If there’s anything that’s true about Barber is that he wins universal acclaim from his impressed teachers. Barber has kept a sky high 4.0 GPA and he’s always taken school to the utmost seriousness. “Everything I gave him he did to the best of his ability,” said Erica Hiers, who currently teaches Barber in his IB Literature. “I love that Drew thinks outside of the box and interprets literature with a critical insight. Plus his sense of humor always makes class more enjoyable.”  

         Next year Barber plans on attending college to pursue his acting career. “My top schools are Carnegie Mellon, Yale, Michigan, NYU, Columbia and Julliard. Hopefully I got to one of those, I know I will do well no matter the school.” he said. 

He’s made his mark in high school. Now – Barber feels – with an acting career ahead of him, he might make his next mark in cinematic circles. From “big man on campus” to the big screen – that’s the path that this student superstar plans on making.