Athletics

Danyelle Smith is orginially from Portsmouth, VA, where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a 3 year Varsity letterman basketball player, and also played softball, volleyball, and ran track.  Balancing school and sports, she managed to work part-time as a Recreation Specialist for the City of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation, where she developed her passion and love for sports and implementing activities and athletic events.

Ms. Smith is a graduate of Virginia State University (Sports Marketing), and Old Dominion University (Master's in Sports Managment). While attending ODU, Ms. Smith served as an intern with several sports' industry organizations, such as, Richmond Rhythm (IBL), Spectrum, NYSP, and ODU's athletic department.

For the past 15 years, Ms. Smith has served in several leadership roles as the department chair and teacher of physical education, health, and driver's education, and coach with Richmond Public Schools.  Currently Ms. Smith also serves as a NCAA Division I, II, and III Women's basketball official, wher she officiates for several collegiate conferences and the Virginia High School League.

Ms. Smith is beyond humble and excited to be John Marshall High School's first African-American female Student Activities Director.  She plans to focus on gaining back the support of the "Jayem" alumni and unfold the great transitions the Justices formed, shaping an organized sports program, and taking on the challenge to lead great coaches and student-athletes.

Head Cheer Coach Shaia Scott (Coach Shy), graduated from Saint Augustine University with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.  As a graduate and former cheerleader of Armstrong High School, Coach Shy has nurtured a passion for cheer as long as she can remember. 

The Icettes have won the RPS competition, placed 1st as the Grand Champs in the Portsmouth Battle Competition as well as placed 1st in Nationals in the North Carolina Stomp-N-Shake Competition.  Coach Shy's love for cheer has made this more than a squad, this is a program and it will continue to grow!