1980

Kim Beard Kacani (also known as “the weird beard”) graduated Henrico High School in 1980 . Fun fact, that was the first year Henrico High school began picking up students from different zones for specialty centers. During her time as a warrior, she had to fully adapt to a new environment. Her whole life, she went to school with not much students, less than a hundred. So when her freshman year at the Hen came, everything was foreign to her. Though at the same time, she was very excited and couldn’t wait to get here. She didn’t know anyone but she knew her sister friends. They were seniors at the time. That year, her class had 601 students. They were known as “The Grady Class of 80”. That year, they had the most counted students at Henrico High. Kim was all around the place. She sang, she was in the band, she rifled, she led the 50th anniversary, and she also cheered. She cheered for the wrestling team and the cross country team. Kim loved that Henrico is an outside campus and that it was so diverse. Kim said that being a warrior includes: Confidence and to be unique and different. (Kacani)

Once Kim graduated, she became an HHHunt Real Estate Agent here in Henrico. Her experience at Henrico was so life changing, that she decided to live around the area. Now, she’s happily married with kids, living a successful life. One of her daughters attended Henrico and left with a eye opening experience. Now she’s in college living her best life. I guess Henrico is where it's at! Henrico is the way to go!

Kacani,Kim. Personal Interview. 1 March 2019.

1981

Kanisha L. Adkins graduated Henrico High School in 1981. As a Warrior at Henrico High School Adkins was “a bit on the quiet side” but was involved in many things like Sounds (a boys and girls group) , Expressions ( an all girls group),S.O.D.A ( Student Organization for Developing Attitudes), she was on the pep squad, and she was editor of the school’s newsletter. Adkins believes she had a “good experience” as a Warrior (Adkins). In fact she makes it very clear that she was fond of literature courses because they contributed to her becoming #lifeready by prompting her to learn “how to address people, how to speak, how to be able to write, and how to communicate orally and in writing.” Adkins stated that after high school “ I wanted to go either to law school or I wanted to be a psychologist,” and that her English class was the cause of her being interested (Adkins).

When asked what colleges she went to she replied with “I went to several!” and she did. She went to undergrad at VCU to major in English Literature, and received her Bachelor Arts.Directly after that she went to the University Of Richmond Law School for her Juris Doctorate. Next she went to Virginia Union University School of Theology and gained her Master Divinity. Lastly she went back to Virginia Commonwealth University and achieved her second Masters. In all it took her 31 years, from 1981-2012, with breaks every now and then. However, it all paid off because in her own words she wears a “lot of hats” now. For instance, her professions range from an attorney to an ordained minister to a hearing officer to an author. She has written and self-published two books: Help There’s A Judas On My Job! and Less Than Virtuous More than Capable.

We asked Adkins to give her definition of a Warrior she responded that “A Warrior is someone who is consistently using their power to move forward. A Warrior is a winner, consistent, and someone who tries to better themselves everyday… A Warrior is someone who is strategic, thoughtful, empowered, and observant… Someone who is collaborative” (Adkins). Kanisha L. Adkins is a Warrior. She wants every Warrior to know this tip that helped her become the strong Warrior she is today: “No is a Complete Word and Sentence!” meaning “Just because you’re capable of doing something doesn't mean you have to.

Adkins, Kanisha. Personal Interview. 25 Feb. 2019

1984

Joel Newman graduated Henrico High School in 1984. As, a warrior at Henrico High Mr.Newman sang with the chorus and played 3 sports. He says his time as warrior was fun and being a warrior “Has a certain confidence in what he does”. He also said the education he got at Henrico High prepared him for life. Being at Henrico he said it was primarily white and about 10% black but as years came along it was transitioning to being mixed. We asked him how did Henrico prepare him to be #Lifeready and he answered “the education was very good and helped him get the job he had now" Mr.Newman also stated that his pros of being a warrior was being able to play sports and the cons were his atmosphere being mostly white peers.

Joel Newman’s Life after high school was changed by his profession as a United Network for organ sharing. He matches up organ donors and their recipients Nationwide. He does Public Relations “The written word or the spoken word” He says the material he learned at Henrico is how he’s making a living. The advice he gave to us and fellow warriors is to “Do your best and keep a open mind at this school”.

Newman, Joel. Personal interview. 27 Feb 2019.