Shanice Murphy, proud graduate of the Sac High Class of 2010, spent all four years deeply embedded in the school’s culture, serving as a leader in spirit and in practice. As a freshman, she was the JV Cheer Captain, eventually leading the Varsity squad during her junior year. Shanice was already developing the discipline that would define her career as an Intelligence Analyst in the Air Force for over a decade.

What stands out most to Shanice today isn’t just the sports, but the high expectations Sac High placed on its students. She vividly remembers the early morning call times for leadership class and student government. On time arrival was expected for all scholars. If you were late, instead of just getting a tardy slip, students were reminded how showing up on time is part of being responsible and setting yourself up for success. For Shanice, these lessons were the building blocks of her adulthood, teaching her to be accountable for herself and how her actions impacted her peers.

That same drive followed her into the academic sphere. She thrived in the school’s unique structure, appreciating the extended days and the term-based system. Taking Geometry and Algebra in the same year kept her from getting bored and opened doors to advanced opportunities. This included a Biophotonics course where she studied how light interacts with the skin, eventually leading to a specialized internship with UC Davis. Even her creative side was nurtured in the darkroom photo classes, a hobby that would bridge the gap to her current career in the beauty industry.

After 13 years of service in the Air Force, Shanice made a bold, personal pivot. During the height of COVID-19, she attended cosmetology school to earn her license. While still serving in the California Air National Guard, she officially opened her own salon in 2022. Today, she balances her entrepreneurial life with homeschooling her three children: Shaun, Chrislynn, and Kasim. In her home classroom, she still draws on  St. HOPE Public Schools’ Five Pillars: High Expectations, Choice and Commitment, More Time, Focus on Results, and the Power to Lead.

One of her most touching memories of Sac High is a vulnerable one. Though she grew up singing in church and throughout her childhood, she was embarrassed to sing in high school, feeling like a small fish in a big pond. During her senior year, Shanice finally pushed herself to sing the National Anthem. The nerves were so intense that she was unable to finish the song and left the stage. Her teachers and classmates responded with overwhelming support. That kindness gave her the courage to return to the stage months later and sing at her graduation.

To the current students walking the halls today, Shanice offers a bit of wisdom: pay attention to the “small print” and the underlying intent of your teachers. “The staff cares about you and they aren’t wasting their breath,” she says. “Take it and embody it when you need to.” As she moves forward, she lives by a quote passed down from her time at Sac High: “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Shanice’s journey reminds us that success can take many paths, but strong values, discipline, and community support can help you navigate each step along the way.