Eisenhower High’s Zacchaeus Henry Leads On and Off the Field

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Eisenhower High School junior quarterback Zacchaeus Henry is a true leader, both on and off the field.

Henry is the Eagles’ signal caller on the football field who organizes the offense and makes plays with his arm and legs. Off the field, Henry is a compassionate young man who believes it is his responsibility to give back to his community.

He showed his compassion and caring spirit recently when he came to the aid of a homeless man in the Acres Homes Community.

Henry, who also attends the Acres Homes Barber College, spotted a homeless man one Saturday morning and decided to reach out to see if he could help him. He took his new friend to the college, washed his hair, and gave him a haircut. It was the first time in 17 months the man had had his hair washed or had a haircut. But Henry didn’t stop there.

He also bought him a meal and provided him with a pair of Jordan 1’s and White Air Force One tennis shoes, two new shirts, underwear, a mask, blanket, toiletries, a backpack, and $22.

When asked why he went out of his way to help a stranger, Henry said it came naturally.

“I have to help others,” Henry said. “I’m always looking out for others.”

He also received inspiration from some of the veteran barbers the Acres Homes Barber College.

“Some of the older gentlemen told me how they help others in our community, so I thought I should get involved in the community. I believe when somebody is down, you help them.”

As a junior, Henry threw for 905 yards and 12 touchdowns and added three touchdowns on the ground.

Those who know him weren’t surprised by his kind gesture.

“Knowing that Zacchaeus took time to care for a member of our community came as no surprise to me,” said Eisenhower High School Principal Mandele Davis. “He has a heart for people and demonstrates his concern in ways such as this. He is a leader here at school and leads his classmates and community by being a positive influence. Zacchaeus is intelligent and demonstrates strong character, what we as educators define as the purpose of education. Zacchaeus embodies our mission of enriching the lives of all we touch, and it’s evident he desires to ensure Eisenhower is a better place.”

Henry’s head coach, Eric Jackson, wasn’t surprised by his kind action either.

“He’s a leader,” Jackson said. “He likes to help people. He wants to get others to come together to do what’s best for people. We are proud of him.”

Teammate Ryan Niblett, the team’s star wide receiver who has verbally committed to the University of Texas after his senior season, said leading and helping others comes naturally to Henry.

“He has a big heart,” Niblett said. “And he’s a great teammate.”

Henry firmly believes that people should help those in need, no matter how young or old they are.

“You can be any age and do good things for others,” he said.

On June 25, Henry will hold a pop-up shop at 8302 Colonial Ln., with motivational speakers, entertainment, and food.

For just being a junior in high school, Zacchaeus Henry has been building an impressive résumé, which should take him far in life and benefit others he will come across for years to come.