History Class, Revisited:

Our 45th Reunion Location Has a Secret and Symbolic History

Monacan High School Chiefs, get ready! The Reunion Committee is counting down the days until our 45th Class Reunion celebration!

We're thrilled to have everyone back in Chesterfield, and we’ve chosen a location that you all know and love: Pocahontas State Park.

For every Chief who grew up here, "Pocahontas" is The Park—our local gem with familiar trails, lakes and picnic spots right here in our county. It's the perfect, relaxed backdrop for catching up.

But here's the fun part: the connection between Monacan High School and Pocahontas State Park actually offers a fascinating, almost poetic, history lesson that perfectly frames our school’s formation from different rival schools.

The Namesake Connection: Chiefs Meet Pocahontas

When you think about our school and our reunion spot, we’re connecting the legacies of two distinct, powerful, and historic Virginia nations:

• Monacan High School Chiefs: Our mascot honors The Monacan Indian Nation, a Siouan-speaking tribe whose ancestral lands were in the central Virginia Piedmont, further west from our school.

• Pocahontas State Park: The park is named for the historical figure Pocahontas, who was part of the Powhatan people, an Algonquian-speaking chiefdom whose territory was the Tidewater region of Virginia—which includes where the park is located.

Separated by History, United by Reunion

Historically, the Monacan and Powhatan people were separate nations, divided by geography, and often rivals. When the English arrived in the 17th century, historical records even show the Powhatan warning the English about the "Monacan country" and their raids. The Powhatan lived along the coast and the rivers (the Tidewater, where the park is), while the Monacan were inland (the Piedmont, closer to where our school is).

The Modern Symbolism of Our Gathering

By choosing our reunion spot at Pocahontas State Park, we are creating a powerful, modern-day symbol of unity. As Monacan High School Chiefs gather in the very park named for a celebrated Powhatan figure, we're highlighting a shared space where the legacies of two distinct Virginia nations, once in conflict, now peacefully share the land for one common purpose: celebrating our enduring bonds. Our 45th class reunion, therefore, is so much more than just a party. It's a contemporary gathering that transcends old historical boundaries. It’s the perfect backdrop for the Class of '81 to focus on our own shared history and community—a testament to friendships that last forever.

We can't wait to see you there!