Thirty years ago, members of the Class of 1995 collected their diplomas as the first graduates of what is now Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Students and faculty recently reflected on what it meant to be part of this unfolding experience.
When it came time to consider which high school to attend, Rasheeda N. Creighton was given two choices by her parents: Richmond’s Community High School or the new Governor’s School, which hadn’t yet opened its doors.
Since her older brother had graduated from Community, Creighton took the other path to become part of the first class to graduate from what is now Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. When the Class of 1995 walked in the building – borrowed space within Richmond city’s Thomas Jefferson High School – it was known as the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies.
Creighton didn’t feel any nervousness about this pioneering role. “In reflection, a lot of my life has been about the first to do something,” she said. “I was the average amount of nervous for high school but there wasn’t anything that made me nervous about being the first class.”
When she arrived, however, there was a bit of a culture shock after growing up in Richmond Public Schools, where she had Black teachers and was surrounded by primarily Black students. “It was the first time that I was one of a handful in the class, and that was really challenging,” she said, noting that she had many friends nearby as TJ students and joined them on the joint cheerleading squad and tennis teams. She noted that, as part of the Governor’s School, “it was cool to meet students from other districts. I hadn’t interacted with students from New Kent, Goochland, Chesterfield and Petersburg before, so that was actually fun.”
This spring marks an important milestone for Maggie Walker: The 30th anniversary of the first graduating class. Over those three decades, the school has built a legacy as it established itself as an academic destination for students; to this day, it provides a unique springboard for their future. Students and faculty alike reflected on what it meant to decide to be part of this unfolding experience.
Dileep Rajan applied the year after his father died, but – like his two brothers to follow – was chosen as an alternate. All three were “blessed to gain admission,” he said. “It felt small, and you knew everyone. I always felt comfortable and grateful to be there.”
But, as he recalls, “the majority of kids were much smarter than me. That was humbling,” said Rajan, who later attended George Washington University. The businessman and investor now lives in Potomac, Md.
“Being humbled taught me to grind, work hard every day,” Rajan added, as he balanced playing on the soccer team for four years and placed third in microbiology in the state science fair as a senior. “That was the best preparation for life beyond.”
As president of the 9th grade class that first year, he helped organize a Valentine’s fundraiser, where students could spend $1 to send a colorful paper heart to a secret crush. “We only raised $100, yet I remember how much fun it was,” said Rajan, who funds an annual math scholarship at Maggie Walker in his father’s memory in gratitude for his high school experience.
Building a high-caliber teaching team
Getting the school off the ground meant recruiting a faculty to teach those students.
Fresh out of college, Paige Hawkins was encouraged by a friend in the school’s counseling center to apply. “It was also attractive because they didn’t have field hockey, so I had the opportunity to start something of my own – and it’s still going today,” said Hawkins, now director of student athletics/activities. Coaching has allowed her to be a mentor to influential, strong young women.
Over the past three decades, she’s taught health, physical education and driver’s ed, including behind-the-wheel instruction.
“I was so excited to teach people who would be interested and care about my passion. I love the health curriculum as much as the physical education curriculum. I worked hard to make the lessons engaging, interesting and fun, so they could enjoy the class,” Hawkins said. “The students are the reason I’m still here after 32 years. … I can honestly say it’s really the dream job and dream place.”
David Barnes was the gifted and talented (GT) lead teacher in a county in the western part of Virginia, when his friend network alerted him to faculty roles. “I got some literature about the school, and it looked like a very exciting opportunity,” said the long-time biology teacher, who has taught AP Environmental Science since 1995 and Meteorology, when it cycles into the course offerings. He also developed and co-taught Geopolitical Science.
“I applied and came down to interview,” he said. “The rest is history. (I also met my wife that day, but that is another story.)”
During his first year, Barnes coached the academic competition team, as well as Odyssey of the Mind. He also soon became the GT lead teacher. “I love working with GT students. They will have no trouble on the standardized tests, so I have a great deal of freedom to explore current topics or areas of special interest.”
Seizing the opportunities
After going on to attend Spelman College and the University of Michigan Law School, Creighton is now back in her Richmond hometown, where she is co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit JWC Foundation to support Black entrepreneurs. She also founded Killing Superwoman, where she hosts a podcast club, offers personal finance coaching, and provides operations consulting for service-based solopreneurs.
She credits her time at the Governor’s School for giving her an advantage in college, where she placed out of language, math and computer requirements and added a minor. In high school, she also partnered with classmates to create Black History Month programs that continue today. Creighton and other alumni also started an annual scholarship honoring the beloved former Governor’s School teacher Priscilla Green, which will continue on in perpetuity.