Adrianne “Annie” Fudong Harrison, who was studying athletic training at Emporia State, passed away on Feb. 13, 2022 at the age of 19 while giving birth to her baby boy, Lorenzo.
Annie was born in China but her family moved to America when she was nine months old. She grew up in Emporia and was known for being stubborn, caring and a great friend with a big heart.
“As a kid she was very active and social and she was into dance and cheer,” Pamela Harrison, her mom, said. “She played every sport and she liked them for the social nature, but she didn’t have that competitive drive you need to be a good athlete.”
Annie worked at Journey’s in Emporia as an attendant where she enjoyed her work. She liked different types of music, “Transformers,” and she enjoyed the Hallmark channel. Her favorite movie was constantly changing, she didn’t like to read unless it was poetry and she was infamous for her side eye glance according to her mom. Her family thinks that her baby has already started following in his mom’s footsteps.
The one word Pamela would use to describe her daughter would be “determined.” She wasn’t afraid to dream big and to do what it takes to achieve her goals.
“I always said that if she made her mind up about something, that I would never, ever bet against her,” Pamela said. “You know that most athletic trainers don’t work for professional sports teams and … she said, ‘but that doesn’t mean I won’t be.’”
Annie graduated high school in 2020 and decided to go to Wichita State for a new experience. Her first year of college was online, which she didn’t like. WSU also no longer offered athletic training, so Annie decided to move back home to attend ESU.
Pamela isn’t sure why Annie wanted to pursue athletic training, but she thinks it was to work in sports and her mother’s career in healthcare could have possibly inspired her, as well.
Annie was a huge Kansas City Royals fan. She tried to get an autograph from all the players and then decided she wanted to get the Royals’ athletic trainers’ signatures. She even got to interview the head trainer for school and that really encouraged her.
Annie wasn’t planning on having a baby this young, but life happens. She was very excited to have her son. She decided to finish her gen eds this year online because it would be better for the baby.
The funeral was on March 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Church in Emporia.
Annie Harrison
