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Tony Perkins was a shy student during his first two years at Mount Vernon High School. By senior year, he was helping host the school’s variety show—a transformation he credits to one class.
“Public speaking changed my life,” said Perkins, now co-anchor of NBC News4 Today.
Perkins returned to his Mount Vernon roots earlier this year for a conversation with senior Maverick about his years at the school, his unconventional career and the lessons he believes today’s students should carry forward.
As a child, Perkins occasionally pretended to interview relatives with a hairbrush serving as his microphone. At school, however, he largely kept to himself, concentrating on class and earning good grades without much of a social life.
He enjoyed making people laugh and wanted to become more confident expressing himself. A public speaking class gave him that opening. He later became the first Black editor-in-chief of Mount Vernon’s student newspaper and grew increasingly comfortable in front of an audience.
Perkins described his education at Mount Vernon as inspiring, although he did not yet see himself becoming a performer or public figure. That possibility emerged after friends dared him to try stand-up comedy.
He prepared seven minutes of material and performed during an open-mic night at Garvin’s Comedy Club in Washington, D.C. The jokes drew laughs, even if Perkins now considers the material unremarkable. More importantly, the experience launched a professional comedy career that lasted nine years.
Comedy also created connections that redirected his career. Through a friend, Perkins met local DJ and BET host Donnie Simpson, who was looking for a producer. After Simpson attended one of Perkins’ shows, Perkins said he was essentially hired on the spot. He eventually became both a producer and co-host of Simpson’s radio program.
Another comedy connection introduced Perkins to a Channel 20 program director. He landed a weekend promotional show centered on comedy and was later invited to become the morning weatherman for Fox Morning News.
The offer initially puzzled him. Perkins was already working in morning radio, performing comedy and had no training as a meteorologist. The producer explained that the station wanted someone entertaining who could connect with people.
That unexpected entry into television news eventually took Perkins to “Good Morning America.” He later returned to the Washington area to raise his family and anchor local news.
In 2024, Educate Fairfax inducted Perkins into the FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame. The nonprofit organization supports students in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Perkins told students that opportunities to develop expertise and build an audience are now more widely available. Social media, he said, allows young people to demonstrate knowledge about subjects that interest them without first having to persuade traditional gatekeepers to give them a chance.
His advice was direct: “Get out there.”
Students interested in broadcasting may choose to study journalism or communications, but Perkins said those are not the only routes into the profession. Some journalists began as doctors or lawyers, while others established themselves on social media. Many successful hosts built careers by pursuing their genuine interests.
Perkins also urged students to remain receptive when an opportunity does not appear to fit their original plan. He once expected to become a stand-up comedian, host “The Tonight Show,” write movies and retire after two decades. His life unfolded differently, but he described the resulting career as rewarding and wonderful.
“Have a plan, but be open,” Perkins said. “Listen to the universe, listen to your heart.”
He closed with a reminder that the high school years pass more quickly than students might expect. His message was to enjoy that time, take it seriously and have fun—choices he believes can establish the foundation for lasting success.