Alumni

EClay

Emily Clay is a 2014 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Midland Trail Elementary and DuPont Middle School. After graduation from RHS, she attended WV State University where she majored in secondary education in science. She also attended Concordia University where she received a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in science education. Most recently, she completed a leadership certificate program at Marshall University and is now certified to be a school principal. Emily currently works as a 7th grade science teacher for Kanawha County Schools.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Emily said “I love that I am able to teach in the same community that I grew up in. I work at DuPont Middle School, which is also where I attended school. It is a very unique experience getting to walk the halls as a student AND a teacher, and also to now work with those who once taught me.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Emily said “While completing my undergraduate degree, I specifically remember feeling more prepared than those around me for the content in many of my general education courses (such as English). I also had many teachers at Riverside who helped guide me in my decision to teach, fostered my love for science, and who shaped the teacher I am today.”

Emily also has some advice for current students, “My advice for current students is to have a plan, but don’t be afraid to change it. Though I always knew I wanted to teach, I struggled with deciding what grade level and content I wanted to pursue. Your plan for your life will change a million times (maybe even more) and that is okay!”

She finished by saying, “Good attendance is critical to having a positive school experience. Though you can make up your missing work and assignments, you can’t make up the memories you will make at school and the experiences your teachers will share with you along the way.”

SClayborn

Sheree Clayborn is a 2014 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Malden Elementary and DuPont Middle School. After graduation she received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Sports Studies. Sheree currently works as an AmeriCorps Mentor for Education Alliances.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Sheree said “I have attained two degrees from West Virginia State University. I am currently working with AmeriCorps and Step-by-Step WV Inc. helping children, whether it’s with their everyday lives or anything pertaining to their education. I have coached both basketball and volleyball at the high school level as well, and have been an assistant volleyball coach for Appalachian Volleyball Academy. Shout out to the AVA family! I plan on furthering my career with helping people whether it’s with education or sports. I love doing what I do best!

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Sheree said “Kanawha County Schools prepared me in so many ways, whether it’s dealing with sports or education. There’s always a way to make your life successful in any way possible if you put in the work for it.

Sheree also has some advice for current students, “Always try your hardest at everything you do, you’ll never know whose watching!

JGreen

Jayla Green is a 2020 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Marmet Elementary and East Bank Middle School. Jayla currently attends Marshall University where she is pursuing a degree in business management with a minor in marketing. She also serves as the CEO of JBEAUTY (natural skincare products).

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Jayla said “I am a member of the National Honor Society at Marshall University and a licensed small business owner.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Jayla said “KCS prepared me for life after graduation in many ways. All throughout high school at Riverside, I had teachers who genuinely cared about me and my future. Having teachers who want you to be great and do great things plays such a huge role in who I am today and I am forever grateful that I had the teachers I did!”

Jayla also has some advice for current students, “Do not take high school lightly! Work hard and maintain good grades and you will be rewarded for doing so! More importantly, get involved! Being involved in school activities and being on school teams will not only make the year go by a little quicker, but you will have so much fun and make memories that will last a lifetime!”

She finished by saying, “Good attendance increases one’s academic success, helps you gain better study skills, and improves chances to earn a high school diploma and a college degree, so that you can earn higher pay in your career! As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Holstein

Barry Holstein is a 1986 graduate of East Bank High School. He also attended Marmet Elementary and Marmet Jr. High. After graduating from East Bank, he earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology from WV Tech and an M.S. in Human Resources from the University of Charleston. Barry currently works as a Management & Program Analyst with the US Department of the Treasury after two decades of manufacturing operations management with companies in the Kanawha Valley region. Additionally, Barry has continued his love of learning by returning to school and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Public Administration.

When asked about his professional accomplishments, Barry pointed to his military experience. After serving 21 years in the Army & Army Reserves, Barry retired as a First Sergeant (1SG). During his military career, he worked in many positions, including as a Basic Training Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson, SC. Barry earned the Army Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. Barry said, “The Army taught me discipline and service to others in a way few organizations can.” He continued, “The military is also a great way for many students to move beyond their current situation and further their education or gain marketable skills.”

His service to his profession, community, and educational opportunities in the region continued in roles such as board member of the West Virginia Manufacturing Association, President of the Cross Lanes Community Development Council, and Board of Governors for Bridgemont and BridgeValley Community and Technical Colleges. His service was recognized by being awarded Alumnus of the Year from WV Tech in 2004.

When asked about how KCS prepared him for life after graduation, Barry said “Kanawha County Schools prepared me for life after graduation by setting expectations for me and pushing me to be successful in my studies. My teachers treated me with respect even when I didn’t deserve it sometimes, but held me accountable for doing my best. Although they taught many subjects, what they really taught was character. Integrity and respect were modeled by my teachers and expected of the students. Many teachers, such as Ms. Christy, Mr. Littleton, Ms. Cook, and Mr. Hansford impacted my future views in ways they will never know. Character is foundational for a life of learning and success.”

Barry also has some advice for current students. “First, read hard stuff. Become a lifelong learner through reading works that challenge your thinking in your areas of interest. It is great to have an opinion on topics, but it is even better to have an informed opinion that you can defend or teach others.”He continued, “Second, think long-term. Set goals for yourself and your future family. Be realistic and build discipline in your life. You probably aren’t going to be a social media millionaire or play pro sports, but you can set goals for your success that exceeds those of your parents. Then expect your children to set goals at the next level. Your family’s trajectory can change with the actions you take now.”

Barry concluded by saying, “It has been said by many that the hardest part about anything is showing up. Showing up for work. Showing up at your place of worship. Showing up to help a friend in need. But the discipline to move forward is built during those school years when you show up, even if you don’t feel like it. Your discipline will be rewarded.”

CassidyJ

Cassidy Johnson is a 2016 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Cedar Grove Elementary and Cedar Grove Middle School. After graduation from RHS, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (Social Studies). She currently works as a social studies teacher at RHS.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Cassidy said “I am currently in my 3rd year of teaching. I taught 6th Grade English at Cedar Grove Middle School and Social Studies at Riverside High School. I am also the current the Student Council Sponsor and Head Volleyball Coach at Riverside.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Cassidy said “I had amazing teachers during my time as a student with KCS. Most of them helped influence my decision to become a teacher and I have had the opportunity to work alongside so many of my former teachers. They helped prepare me for life after graduation by holding their students to a higher standard and providing an exceptional education.”

Cassidy also has some advice for current students, “Take pride in your own education. It is your responsibility to show up each day and learn something new. Your education is going to help you throughout your life whether you are going to college or entering a trade.” She finished by saying, “Good attendance is important to being academically successful because if you aren't in the classroom, you are missing out on valuable information.”

MSpencer

Mackenzie Spencer is a 2010 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Belle Elementary and DuPont Middle School. After graduation she received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Charleston. Mackenzie currently works as the Executive Director of FestivALL Charleston.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Mackenzie said “After college I worked in marketing for the Clay Center for 5 1/2 years, then became the Communications Director for the City of Charleston for 3 1/2 before becoming Executive Director of FestivALL Charleston in April 2022. I currently sit on boards for Charleston Main Streets and Charleston Creativity Connections.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Mackenzie said “Kanawha County Schools taught me a lot about self-discipline, work ethic, and the importance of education and continuing to educate yourself outside of the classroom. It also taught me social skills and helped me cultivated lifelong friendships.

Mackenzie also has some advice for current students, “Take every opportunity you’ve earned and approach them with great enthusiasm. Each opportunity is a steppingstone and a learning experience that you will take with you. Value these experiences. Don’t waste them.”

She continued, “Good attendance in school is a value that transfers over to the working world. While you don’t usually make that correlation when you are a student, employers expect good attendance at your job. You need to be there to learn and to understand what is going on around you. You also need to contribute and be a good team player. You can’t do those things if you don’t show up.”

Mackenzie finished by saying, “Several teachers contributed to my success throughout my journey through school. So shoutout to Mr. Eplin, Mr. Albert, Ms. Duncan, Mr. Franco, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Durenberger, Mrs. Crowe, Mr. Carte, Ms. McChesney, Ms. (now Principal!) Kennedy, and so many others that helped shape my path. I will forever be grateful.

SamStanley

Samantha Stanley is a 2014 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Chesapeake Elementary and East Bank Middle School. After graduation from RHS, she received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. She is currently working on a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. Samantha currently works as a teacher for Kanawha County Schools.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Samantha said “I am currently working on my third year as an Earth Science teacher at Riverside High and loving it! This past summer I gave birth to my first son, and I am highly enjoying being his mommy and seeing him experience new things as he grows.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Samantha said “Kanawha County Schools prepared me for life after graduation by helping me find the subjects I cared about the most about, which led me into my degrees where I can now show my students the joys of science!

Samantha also has some advice for current students, “Don’t think you have to have your mind made up before graduation day. Things happen and things change which can cause you to go in a different path and that’s perfectly okay.”

 

SeanStanley

Sean Stanley is a 2012 graduate of Riverside High School. He also attended Midland Trail Elementary and East Bank Middle School. After graduation from RHS, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Marshall University and a Master of Education from Salem University. Sean currently works as a teacher for Kanawha County Schools.

When asked about his professional accomplishments, Sean said “After four successful years of teaching in a middle school setting, I have made my way over to the high school world. During this time, I have completed my master’s degree that will give me the chance in the future to become an administrator, a curriculum specialist, or a superintendent. But until then, I am very content with learning how to be a dad to my three-month-old son!

When asked about how KCS prepared him for life after graduation, Sean said “Kanawha County Schools prepared me by giving me a handful of inspiring teachers that gave me the drive to push forward with my education. This allowed me to come back to KCS as a teacher myself in hopes of giving the same experiences to my students.”

Sean also has some advice for current students, “Find your niche, whether that be the workforce, a trade, or college and give it your all. Your determination and drive for what you want will get you as far as you want to go.”

He finished by saying, “It has been a joy to work in two of the schools I went to as a student and I hope to be able to give back to the students in various different ways through my career with KCS.”

BSyner

Brooke Syner is a 2016 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Belle Elementary and DuPont Middle School. After graduation she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marshall University. Brooke currently works as a 4th grade teacher for Kanawha County Schools.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Brooke said “I graduated college in 2020 and got a teaching job straight out of school. I’m currently back in school for my masters degree at Marshall University. I’m about to get married too!”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Brooke said “All my teachers always showed they cared and were committed to helping me better myself.”

Brooke also has some advice for current students, “Keep working hard in school as it truly matters later on! If you are gone, you’re missing important information and possibly a great time in class.”

NWilliams

Natalie Williams (Tucker) attended Riverside High School. She also attended Cedar Grove Elementary and Middle School. After receiving her GED in November 2006, Natalie received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration/Accounting. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in business administration/human resources. Natalie works as a Customer Care Manager, AVP for United Bank.

When asked about her professional accomplishments, Natalie said “I quit high school my Junior Year and got my GED in November of 2006. Since then, I have raised my son, who is currently a junior at Riverside. I was awarded a United Bank Value Award for Teamwork in 2020.”

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Natalie said “It taught me to never give up.”

Natalie also has some advice for current students, “No matter what, always push through. Keep your head up and push for the stars.” She finished by saying, “Attendance is everything. It shows you are reliable, have a work ethic, and are a team player.”

 

NWolfe

Natasha Wolfe is a 2000 graduate of Riverside High School. She also attended Sharon Dawes Elementary and East Bank Middle School. After graduation from RHS, Natasha worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Eight years ago, she became a National Registered Certified Medial Assistant (NRCMA) and now works as a Medical Receptionist/Medical Assistant for Spring Hill Primary Care Physicians.

When asked about how KCS prepared her for life after graduation, Natasha said “I had wonderful teachers that helped me prepare for my future.”

Natasha also has some advice for current students, “Plan for your future now and get the best grades you can to help get scholarships. Even if you don't think you can go to college, go to a trade school to help make sure you have a better future for yourself and your family.” She added, “Having good attendance is important because that way you will understand your assignments and help with your ability to maintain a job and be ready to attend work every day.”

Natasha finished by saying, “I know it may feel hard to continue your education, but if I can go back to school as a single mom with four kids then anyone can do it. Just remember keep your head up and you can do anything that you put your mind to. Have faith and trust in yourself.”