AK Horlock
Rising Warriors
Doctor of Education in Professional Studies
Madison, MS
Anna “AK” Horlock, originally from Kingwood, Texas, found her passion for youth development and education while studying Public Policy at the University of Mississippi. A 2015 graduate with honors, she first began working with students through the Leap Frog After-School Program and the Student Athlete Success Center. After joining the TFA Fellows Program in 2017, AK launched Rising Warriors, a leadership initiative originally designed to equip female athletes in Quitman County with the tools to lead, mentor, and inspire younger girls in their communities through sports.
What began as a sports-based mentorship model has since grown and evolved. Now based in Madison County, AK teaches at Ridgeland High School as a Literacy Specialist and has expanded Rising Warriors into a broader leadership initiative that serves high school students and young adults across Mississippi.
Project: Rising Warriors – Leadership Retreats for Young Leaders
Rising Warriors addresses a critical gap: young people in high-poverty communities often lack access to quality leadership development and team-building experiences. Through 1–2 day retreats, students participate in powerful workshops centered on self-reflection, communication, trust-building, and purpose-driven leadership. Each retreat ends with a bonding experience—such as a Top Golf outing or an escape room—to reinforce collaboration and celebrate progress.
This year, AK partnered with fellow TFA alum Leigh Nunez to host a retreat for Ridgeland High School’s Executive Council—a group made up of student leaders from every club and organization. Through activities and small group sessions, participants connected deeply and built lasting peer support.
One unforgettable moment came when a student, a ward of the state, vulnerably shared her fear of walking across the graduation stage alone. Another student immediately promised, “We will all be there—we’ll cheer so loudly for you, you won’t miss it.” That promise turned into a powerful reality. When her name was called, the crowd erupted in cheers, and AK witnessed her walk proudly across the stage—the first in her family to graduate. It was a moment that captured the heart of the Rising Warriors mission: to empower through community.
Fellowship Takeaway
AK credits the TFA Graduate Fellows Program with equipping her to grow Rising Warriors, deepen her impact as an educator, and pursue advanced degrees—including her Master's, Specialist, and now her EdD—all tuition-free. She is especially grateful for the relationships and mentorship the Fellowship fostered along the way.
“I love watching students grow in confidence and character. The retreats spark something in them—and that spark spreads.”