5th Grade Celebration Cruise, p. 34
THE BEAUTY OF JANE JACKSON / DR KIRK SCHULZ ‘81 / A WATERSIDE
DREAM AT THE UPPER SCHOOL / LOWER SCHOOL AMBASSADORSHIP
5TH GRADE FAREWELL / CLASS OF 2024 / ALUMNI REUNIONS & EVENTS
The Ambassador student section came ready to rock the house all year long!
Morgan Harris ‘25
Madison Moreau ‘19
Morgan is a senior at Norfolk Christian who loves owning her own home bakery. She worked diligently during her junior year as one of four students behind the design of the dock project
Chris Chacko
Brianna Crapanzano ‘13
Amy Hood
Dana Posch ‘88
Michelle Sandwell
Madison is a grad student at the University of Chicago, working towards a Masters in Public Policy This summer, she is assisting on major projects as an intern to the Head of School
Lily Strickland ‘24
Amy Watson
Lily is Norfolk Christian’s Social Media Manager as well as our resident photographer She is passionate about capturing authentic moments and telling the NCS story through photos
Amy teaches 4th and 5th grades at our Beach Campus and is mom to two Ambassadors - Carter in 9th grade and Delaney in 6th She loves reading and making memories with her family
Jason Axsom
Meg Hutchinson Mackenzie Parker ‘18
Noah Rathbone ‘27
Lily Strickland '24
A group of our FCA student-athletes showed up at the Shamrock Marathon while it was still dark to set up a water station for runners
“Education for Life’s Requirements”
When I began my journey as the new Head of School in the spring of 2023, I noticed a slogan in big, vintage-looking letters on the wall of the Ambassador Gym: “Education for Life’s Requirements” I couldn't help but wonder about its significance
Over last summer, I had the opportunity to meet more than 100 families who graciously welcomed me during informal meet-and-greet events at various NCS homes During these visits, I would ask each family a similar question: "What do you love most about NCS?" or "Why do you have your children at NCS?" The stories shared with me confirmed that the Lord had led me to an extraordinary place Nearly every family emphasized that they had chosen NCS because of its unwavering Christian worldview, coupled with our strong academics, athletics, and fine arts Each family, in their own way, echoed the school’s mission: to equip our students to become Ambassadors for Christ These interactions and insights were such an encouragement to me They affirmed our present and eternal purposes and inspired me as we kicked off the new school year
August came quickly and we soon launched the 2023-24 academic year, welcoming 750 students and over 200 faculty, staff, and coaches back to school My days were suddenly filled with meeting families, faculty, staff, alumni, and local heads of school, all while navigating the streets of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with the help of Google Maps Reflecting on those early days, it felt like a whirlwind so many new places and faces I'm sure many of you can relate to the feeling of being swept up in a new adventure
I had been so impressed with the commitment shown by our faculty, staff, and administrators in preparing for the school year When I finally saw them in their element, as campuses came alive with students, it gave me a new lens to witness their dedication to the Norfolk Christian mission Day after day, teachers carried out lesson plans that put Christ at the center in every subject area Staff cared for students with every possible need, from everyday bumps and bruises to heartfelt conversations about life and faith It was humbling to watch their genuine love for our students play out
Throughout the school year, I was most inspired to witness the many ways God was active in the lives of our students From large groups coming together in the morning for Fellowship of Christian Athletes to
students of every age addressing their peers during chapel, their vulnerable, personal stories and passion for encouraging their friends to seek Christ was genuinely moving
Along with these daily evidences, two events this year were particularly impactful for me The first was attending the celebration of life for Mr Jim Hinshaw, a beloved, longtime faculty member at our High School Hearing stories from many former students, I picked up on a similar message There were no mentions of lessons or tests; Mr Hinshaw was not etched in their memories because of a unit on state law Instead, what had made an impression on them was the relationships he purposely built It was how he cared for them, how he used every class, every practice, every conversation as an opportunity to share his love for the Lord Alumni spoke of seeing him years, even decades after graduating, when he would ask about each member of their families with genuine care Since attending that event, I've started viewing each prospective employee through the filter of whether this teacher could make a lasting impact like Mr Hinshaw His legacy continues to inspire me
The second event was the Senior Dinner, held two days before our commencement for the Class of 2024 The stories shared by members of our senior class that evening profoundly impacted me They were stories of teachers and coaches who had poured into their lives, of friends who challenged them to deeper faith I vividly remember Mason Smith, a recent graduate, saying, "The door to the Lord was opened through NCS" That statement said so much In a class that could have boasted of their outstanding achievements in every area, it was the relationships and the people who grew their faith which they valued most
After experiencing those events, and all the beautiful things that have happened this school year, I realized that Dr Dunlap’s mantra "Education for Life's Requirements" makes perfect sense to me It embodies our intentional Christ-centered approach at NCS, one committed to transformative change rather than merely transactional experiences When we began renovating the Ambassador Gym, those well-worn letters had to come down At the time, I wasn’t sure if they were significant to anyone Now, I can echo the sentiments of many alumni who couldn’t imagine the space without them, which is why Dr Dunlap’s important reminder will be installed over the new Jenni Prevette Memorial Stage this month
It is an honor to serve in this community of educators, who are devoted not just to preparing students for the next exam but equipping them to face the challenges and opportunities of life as representatives of the Living God As I look forward to the future, I am excited to play a part in the life-changing mission at Norfolk Christian of nurturing students to become true Ambassadors for Christ
In His Service,
Alex Gispert Head of School
by Dana Posch & Brianna Crapanzano
When you think of the school nurse, what do you think of? Probably someone who always has bandaids and ice at the ready, someone who has all the medicine one could ever need, and someone who can help when you’re hurting Norfolk Christian was truly blessed to have all of these things, and so, so much more in the person of Jane Jackson
Those who knew her well would use the following adjectives to describe Jane:
J - Joyful
A - Admirable
N - Neighborly
E - Extraordinary
Extraordinary She truly was She was so much more than our school nurse; she was a true Ambassador for Christ
Jane embodied the NCS Spirit She loved well and gave of her time and energy to an organization that she loved dearly Before Jane worked at NCS as our nurse, she served as the Booster Club President for many years, where she ran the concession stand, was a huge cheerleader for all NCS sports teams, and attended most of the sporting events You could always find her in the stands supporting her two
1 Decorating the 12 foot lobby tree 2 Talking to PK3 during Community Helpers week 3 Chaperoning the Masquerade prom she spent all day decorating for and all year planning
favorite Ambassadors: Colin Jackson ‘15 and Maren Jackson Siebels ’16 She yelled loud, started crowd chants, and enjoyed every minute of supporting all of our student-athletes She spent countless hours stocking the concession stand, as well as serving when others couldn't make it She was a friendly face one could always find talking to and encouraging people to enjoy their experience here at NCS
When it came to nursing, Jane could best be described as a no-nonsense nurse She loved her students and served them well; she also let them know when they weren’t acting their age! So many of their bumps and bruises could have been avoided if they followed that simple rule Even so, she always went above and beyond when someone needed her help Whether it was dashing to Walgreens to grab something a student needed, running them back home to pick up an important item they forgot, or just sitting with them in the clinic while they "gathered" themselves after a painful moment, Jane was the epitome of a servant for everyone in her care Every bag of ice she gave, bandaid she put on, medication she administered was always done with a smile on her face and love for the person she was serving And the students knew that
decorator-extraordinaire We had so much fun as we brought the Christmas spirit to office trees and doors She could make our huge tree shine and sparkle like no one else On Deck the Halls day, the office would be abuzz with Christmas music, garland, tinsel, and so many ornaments But even louder than the music was the tinkling sound of Jane’s infectious laughter as we climbed the ladder to deck the huge tree She gave the same creative touch to many NCS events throughout the year, and was the designated professional when we needed floral arrangements, wreaths, even hallway decor or bulletin boards This was one way she loved to use her gifts and talents for the good of others
As a colleague, Jane was second to none She was the fun in every meeting, the laughter in every conversation There was never a dull moment when she was around More than anything, Jane loved Jesus and pointed us to Him in every situation
Jane was a special part of Norfolk Christian who will never be forgotten She loved NCS and served our community well She made everything around her beautiful and inviting, not just with her decorating and nursing skills, but with her radiant smile and warm spirit We are forever grateful for the time we had with her
When she wasn’t in the Nurse’s office, Jane was a
Forever missed and forever loved Jane Jackson!
by Chris Chacko International Program and Missions Director
TThe Missions Department at NCS is an exciting way to give our students an opportunity to be Ambassadors for Christ in our community and beyond! Every year, we send out students to trusted organizations with whom we have long term relationships so that our students can learn, grow in their faith, and be a blessing to others as they humbly serve This past summer, we were privileged to be able to send an NCS team to serve with NCS alumna Emily (Mason) Johnson ‘99 and her family in La Paz, Mexico, as well as another team to Buff Bay, Jamaica During the 2024 - 2025 school year, we are excited to be offering a middle school trip here in Norfolk and high school trips to Costa Rica and India!
J A M A I C A
E X I C O
Our eight-person team to La Paz, Mexico partnered with NCS alumna Emily Johnson and her husband Pete in serving their ministry base The team worked hard cleaning stables, painting, and clearing brush for and rebuilding a frisbee golf trail When not on one of those projects, they served the missionaries on th b i i t f h l i f i V ti Bibl S h l d
Three 2024 seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Committee for excelling on their junior PSAT scores Sam Via was named a Competition Finalist, an honor given to less than 1% of seniors in the country CJ Coleman and Grace Perrone were named Commended Scholars, joining a group that represents less than 3% of all high school seniors nationwide
Our Model Judiciary teams received high praise from sitting judges at their mock trial competition for their preparation, professionalism, and ability to think on their feet
Norfolk Christian was named to the College Board’s gold-level AP Honor Roll for 2023-24, recognizing our students’ high achievement in AP classes After the May 2024 exams, 36 students were named AP Scholars, 12 of whom were Scholars with Distinction for earning a 3 or above on at least 5 AP exams
International students were recognized in March by Athletic Director Tim Bender and Upper School Director Jacob McCleese for their contributions to NCS culturally, academically, and in their respective sports
In March, our international students visited Chicago for four days, trying deep dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs, as well as visiting the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Magnificent Mile, and Chinatown They also did an Architectural tour of the Windy City
Photography LilyStrickland
A group of international students interviewed 2nd graders in April, then wrote and illustrated special children's books featuring their home countries with their new 2nd grade friends as the main characters When they returned to present their original stories, Mrs Mead’s second graders loved being the stars of new exotic adventures!
International students from around the world shared their home cultures with the NCS community through visual displays and delicious food and drinks!
The Middle School baseball team hasn’t lost a game since 2022! Their record over the last three years is 27-1 and they are currently on a 23-game win streak!
The Wrestling team advanced to the State level in 2024, with wrestlers Autumn Smith and Kalena Huggins being the first females to represent NCS at Nationals in school history
This year’s swim team racked up the accolades as male swimmers secured third at the TCIS meet and the girls' team set new school records in both the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay Sophomore Caleb Gyorfi broke the alltime Norfolk Christian record in the 100 backstroke and placed 15th at the VISAA Championship meet, marking the first time in five years that NCS had scored at States
In their second year of outstanding performances, the girls Varsity Basketball team secured 2nd place in the TCIS, clinched 3rd place in the state, and boasted an impressive season record of 22-9
Volleyball powerhouse Kaci Morrison hit a milestone during her senior season and became one of an elite group of Ambassadors to rack up 500 career kills! During her four years on our Varsity team, she was named to the TCIS 2nd Team All-Conference as a junior and 1st Team All-Conference as a senior, as well as VISAA’s 2nd Team AllState in 2023 She also earned the distinctions of NCS Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023 and MVP for her final season Kaci’s volleyball skills will hit the court at Roanoke College this fall
ur Middle School Football team went undefeated and only lowed six points scored by opponents the entire season!
Our High School Band and Chorus spent Spring Break in New York, performing at the Statue of Liberty and other New York venues, while getting a true NYC cultural experience!
Our Fine Arts Department hosted an Enchanted Evening of fantastic student and family performances at its 7th Annual Gala
The Wiedmaier Fund continued to bless our students with new band instruments this year, as Autumn, Landon, and Reese will attest!
Our Theater Department was all in it together for their amazing production of Disney’s High School Musical in April
Senior James Shepard took home the top score for Bass 1 in the entire district at District Chorus auditions!
When Kirk Schulz was el senior year at Norfolk C
administration placed in him As a 17-year-old, he had a respected voice with administrators about school events and programs He had the honor of leading other student body officers and suggesting plans that impacted many aspects of
their high school experience He was even given keys to the building It was a role Kirk
took very seriously Little did he know it would become the precursor to a long life of educational leadership, one that would eventually lead him to the highest office in two of the country’s major research universities, with 20,000 students and staff calling him President
From childhood, Kirk had always been interested in science and grew up an avid science fiction reader As a high school student, he soaked in every science class Norfolk Christian offered, but still craved more During his senior year, Kirk approached Mr Percival, his Calculus and Physics teacher, about leading him through an Independent Study in Astronomy If you’ve ever met Chap Percival, you know that answer was an easy ‘yes ’ Kirk was also part of a small, before-school group that took a college-level Anatomy and Physiology class from Old Dominion University professor and NCS dad, Jim Swanson When he walked across the stage in June of 1981, Kirk had earned the title of graduating with more science credits than anyone in Ambassador history
His plan had been to take that love for science and continue in medical school, which led Kirk to enroll as a Chemistry major with a pre-med focus at ODU However, after a few courses, he found that he enjoyed the physical sciences more than the life sciences he was immersed in, a realization that prompted him to switch gears and transfer to Virginia Tech as an engineering major It was a decision that changed his life’s trajectory in every way
In the summer of 1984, Kirk met fellow engineering major Noel Nunnally at Virginia Tech’s Baptist Student
Union The following year, they went on a BSUsponsored mission trip and started dating soon after Kirk and Noel were married in December 1987 While at Virginia Tech, they both earned engineering degrees, with Kirk holding both a B S and Ph D in Chemical Engineering by 1991
It was during the doctoral program at Virginia Tech that Kirk knew he wanted to teach and do research at the collegiate level He also hoped leadership opportunities would be in his future He and Noel entered the job market with his newly bestowed Ph D and landed far from home at the University of North Dakota There, Kirk was an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and gained his first foray into university administration, serving as Co-Director of the Energy Engineering Ph D program It was an experience that confirmed his desire to lead students
When Noel earned a Ph D a few years later, the couple again found themselves on the job market and both accepted positions at Michigan Technological University After serving on the faculty for three years, Kirk took his first step into full-time university leadership when he was appointed Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering
In 2001, the Schulzes had a chance to move their now family of four back to the southeast and they were thrilled to take it Kirk initially joined Mississippi State University as Director of the Dave Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, then later served as Dean of the Bagley College of Engineering and subsequently, as Vice President for Research and Economic Development The years at MSU gave him a new perspective When Kirk’s responsibilities broadened from serving one department to the larger university, he found a niche As a Vice President, he enjoyed building the relationships needed for successful fundraising and for collaboration with the elected officials who could advance the University’s causes
It was fitting then that, after nearly two decades in collegiate leadership, Kirk stepped away from
Welcoming students to the Vancouver campus on the first day of the 2023 Fall Semester
MSU and into the role of the next President of Kansas State University in 2009 He led the KSU community until 2016, when he was appointed the 11th President of Washington State University He and Noel are now in their ninth year of leading the WSU system, which includes six campuses in Washington state and Vancouver
The job of a University President is non-stop and very externally facing Kirk’s days are typically spent fundraising, working with elected officials in the state legislature and Washington, D C , and setting strategic direction for the institution He’s also the face of Washington State at everything from commencement ceremonies to athletic competitions to community events In the midst of those busy days, he makes time as often as possible to engage with students and graduates One of the most rewarding parts of his job is meeting Cougar alumni all over the country and
hearing their stories; particularly inspiring are those from the many first-generation college students who have done great things with the land-grant education they received at WSU
What Kirk won’t mention about himself is the large-scale impact he has had while leading two major research universities In his 18 years as a President, he has raised more than two billion dollars for university projects He has championed cutting-edge research with global implications on human health and safety He’s brought groundbreaking new programs to life, like the Elson S Floyd College of Medicine at WSU He has built, updated, and re-imagined dozens of campus facilities to better serve their student populations He’s been the force behind record enrollment and philanthropy at both universities, and has received more awards and recognition than can be listed, both individually and for his respective schools As a University President, Dr Kirk Schulz has brought about the kind of farreaching change that impacts communities for generations
With the hectic schedule of a University President and First Lady, Kirk and Noel value their downtime They love the outdoors and work in opportunities to hike, travel, and enjoy nature whenever they can A favorite pastime is exploring National Parks and monuments in their camper They are also big sports fans and support the Washington State Cougs wherever their competitions take them They have two grown sons, Timothy, who is married and lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Andrew, who recently finished his Ph D in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech and is completing post-doctoral work in Germany
In academic pursuits, Noel and Kirk are strong advocates for initiatives that encourage women to engage in science and engineering careers A nationally-recognized expert in power systems engineering, Noel is devoted to recruiting and retaining women in the field of engineering, and to mentoring female engineering faculty on the campuses where she serves
Visiting with WSU alumni at the Starbucks Headquarters in Seattle.
Then and Now: In his presidential
When Kirk looks back on his time at Norfolk Christian, many memories surface He is thankful for the variety of activities he was able to take part in, from student government and multiple sports to special interest clubs and the school newspaper That breadth and depth of experience is difficult to find in larger schools, something he realized watching his own two sons grow up
More than anything, what made the greatest impact on Kirk at NCS was his teachers In his words, he was blessed with amazing faculty who pushed him to excel academically across multiple disciplines: Jim Hinshaw, who poured out his passion for and knowledge of U S Government; Ed Willis, who taught History and was Kirk’s basketball coach; and of course, Chap Percival, who saw a young man with a spark for Science and did everything he could to foster it Having teachers who were not just there to lecture but took an interest in his life and future goals is something Kirk is still grateful for He enjoyed staying in touch with
Coach Willis over many years, as his career in higher education interacted more and more with Division 1 sports
Kirk isn’t the only one with great memories of his time as an Ambassador; he made an impact on those teachers as well Chap Percival remembers that “Kirk was a terrific kid and student, well-liked, personable, bright, perceptive, and engaging He loved to learn and was always looking for more ” Kirk was in the first year of students to benefit from a new teaching methodology Chap implemented which made Physics more interactive, Socratic in style, full of hands-on activities and labs Years later, Chap was incredibly honored when Kirk told him that his own teaching style in the college classroom was fashioned after Mr Percival’s in that Physics room
Of all the stories Chap remembers from Kirk’s years at NCS, one favorite still makes him laugh For the Class of 1981’s traditional Senior Prank, they decided to turn what is now the Ambassador Gym into an automobile showroom They worked
with their partner-in-crime, PE teacher Gary King, to build ramps that would get vehicles into the space It was quite an undertaking but worth it all when surprised students and teachers came in one morning to find a dozen cars set up all over the Gym The highlight that still gives Chap a chuckle was the sign on Kirk’s car - “Presidential Limo ” It was truly a sign of things to come!
With Kirk’s vast experience in college classrooms and administration, his advice for Ambassadors choosing a college is to lean into the things they connect with personally In his words, “There are so many great colleges and universities in the US - I tell prospective students and their families that there are really no bad choices However, it is important for students to have a sense of belonging where they land, and to choose a school where they can be successful academically Sometimes being a big fish in a little pond is better than just being a number at a more academically prestigious school ”
Top: Kirk, Noel, Andrew, Tim, and Tim’s wife Tricia at Disney World
Bottom: Kirk and Noel enjoying camper life while visiting four National Parks in Utah and Colorado
After more than 30 years spending his work days on college campuses, Kirk announced to the Washington State community in April that he will be retiring in June of 2025 He looks forward to spending his newfound freedom writing on higher education topics and mentoring a new generation of educational leaders, as well as offering support to the person who will fill his shoes Noel will continue to serve as Inaugural Director of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures on the WSU Tri-Cities campus Hopefully, retirement will also bring opportunities to get away in the camper van and explore some sites they haven’t checked off the list yet
One thing is certain, the legacy of Dr Kirk Schulz will carry on long after he gives his final commencement speech next May It’s been a journey he could not have imagined as that 17-year-old student body President in 1980 And it’s been an opportunity for which he will always be exceedingly grateful
IIn July, Head of School Alex Gispert announced an exciting project to the Ambassador family, one a dedicated group of people has been working on for over a year Last summer, the opportunity arose to seek City approval for a future project on the section of our land that reaches the water When that permission was granted, Mrs Royster and Mrs Hood led an effort to synthesize years of thoughts and ideas for the space onto paper With their guidance, four high school students created an intricate design that would transform the entire area behind the Upper School building into new outdoor learning, gathering, and leisure spaces Their impeccable design gained rave reviews from the landscape architects who helped with our initial appeal to the City, so much that this firm used our students’ ideas and design to create an official rendering for the “NCS Outdoor Learning Project ” This project reimagines the unused areas surrounding the Upper School for maximum student benefit and includes a pier, amphitheater, outdoor pavilion, educational gardens, and plenty of community green space
Prior to Mr Gispert’s announcement, a devoted supporter of NCS made a generous gift to the Outdoor Learning Project, making the dream a reality and allowing construction to begin this summer The initial phase will take much of the school year to complete and will include building a floating dock, an extensive pier, and a covered outdoor classroom structure, in addition to outfitting the space with equipment and storage
Phase 2 will serve as a groundbreaking project in wetlands restoration and protection Working with local non-profit the Elizabeth River Project,
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:3
Thanks to the ambitious pursuits of many talented people, and the faithful giving of others, the appointed time for a vision I had in 1993 has finally materialized. This vision of a floating dock to launch canoes for oceanography students to observe the habitats and wildlife of our river wetlands, and an observation deck for biology students to "lock in" on the birds of our backyard ecosystem will now be part one of the Norfolk Christian Shoreline Project.
Although I am no longer present daily in the classroom, I will always be present with the hopes and dreams for the school I so dearly love and am still dedicated to. The message here is clear: God's promises may take time, but they are never forgotten. When in doubt, recall this verse and believe that He controls all things and His timing makes every event beautiful in its own way.
I am more than grateful to all those involved with this project and ask that you would support them in any way possible. I am excited to see what else God has in store for His school and the plans He has for our "Ambassador Nation" here at NCS.
students and faculty will help design a restoration plan for the school’s Lafayette River shoreline that will protect natural wetlands, prevent erosion, and provide a thriving habitat for important animal and plant species The project will create a sustainable and resilient shoreline for the school and its waterfront neighbors, while making a dramatic and positive impact on the Lafayette River ecosystem
Phase 3 will again see students and staff working with architects to design a Wetland Boardwalk, Amphitheater, Classroom Pavillion, Picnic Grove, Rain Garden, Reading Nook, and Multipurpose Lawn When complete, this project will not only transform Norfolk Christian’s physical footprint but will offer students at every grade level unprecedented opportunities to learn from and work in God’s beautiful creation
The Working Master Plan Design
by Morgan Harris Class of 2025
How did the esteemed dream from MH many former and present faculty, student body, and staff of an environmentfriendly outdoor creation come to be?
Many people, including former teacher AH Sue Royster and myself, dreamed of using our waterfront property to teach students about the important tidal wetland ecosystem while immersed in the beauty and wonder of God’s creation New Head of School, Alex Gispert, picked up the ball and obtained a landscape engineer and a generous donation from an alumni family to make the dream of a dock come true
What exactly is the outdoor learning MH project and what does it mean for the future of NCS?
The dock is actually just phase one of a AH plan to maximize use of our backyard spaces for outdoor learning, worship, and leisure
After the dock, we plan to install a living shoreline, natural amphitheater, wetlands walk, picnic grove, practice field, rain gardens, and more The dock itself will provide students with access to the marsh, its waters and organisms In addition it will have a large covered observation platform and a floating dock to launch kayaks I am so excited for students now and in future generations to make use of these areas
Top: Serai Simmons and Saylor Knapp meet with Mrs. Hood and Mr. Gispert to go over the rendering Bottom: Area landscape experts attend the living shoreline certification course at NCS
Who helped with the aspiring idea of the outdoor learning project? MH
Rich Calvert, of Calvert Marine, generously donated his time and expertise to design the dock and AH submit the permits Then, when I introduced the dream of transforming our outdoor spaces to the high school environmental club, high school students Macey Parker, Carly Ewing, Saylor Knapp and yourself were especially excited and energized to create their own plans
In what ways have the female student leaders helped develop this project? MH
With the help of other environmental club members, these four young ladies produced a blueprint AH
The original plan submitted by students Caroline Ewing, Morgan Harris, Saylor Knapp, and Macey Parker
design and slideshow of options which they presented to the professional landscape engineers Along with faculty members, staff, and fellow student Serai Simmons, they continue to meet and work with the professionals to develop our master plan
MH
What benefits have you seen from having student body members like the five young ladies be such an intricate part of the planning process?
I have seen so many benefits to the students in their education about the process and in becoming AH leaders The project itself has also benefited by coming from the input and ideas of the students who will be the users and caretakers of these outdoor learning spaces
MH
How will student accomplishments be expanded in the next school year?
This school year, NCS will initiate the Chesapeake Bay Leadership Team with the goal of fostering AH our core values of Stewardship and Leadership to equip Ambassadors for Christ Students will design and implement their own projects to protect the Bay, support school efforts like the outdoor learning project, and lead others to become more environmentally friendly
How will all NCS students benefit MH from this project?
Students of all ages will receive AH tremendous outdoor learning experiences in: Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, Birding, Water Chemistry Testing, Oyster Farming, Wetland Monitoring, Tidal Observation, Kayaking, Sketching, and Photography Other outdoor spaces will benefit students with areas to worship on the water, pray, have classes outside, eat lunch, practice sports, play on the lawn, garden, read, walk, relax, and hang out
In what ways is the Chesapeake Bay MH Leadership Team prepared for this project?
In order to join the team, students were AH required to submit an application listing their gifts and talents which include: positivity, creativity, helpfulness, organization, reliability, hard work, advocating and speaking out, working with others, knowledge of the Bay, and experience in environmental science Mrs Crapanzano and I can’t wait to work with these amazing students as sponsors of the team
What can we expect to see with the MH development of the outdoor learning spaces project next year?
This fall, we expect to see the installation AH of the dock and purchase of kayaks for use throughout the year In collaboration with the Elizabeth River Project, we expect to begin work on phase two of the project this spring, a living shoreline which will prevent erosion and provide habitat while fighting the effects of sea level rise, coastal flooding, and run-off pollution The living shoreline will be another excellent learning opportunity for the CBLT and all NCS students to design, install, monitor and teach others about this best practice for resilient environmental shorelines It is especially exciting that the group Wetlands Watch is using our campus for their living shoreline certification class, where area experts will design an optimal living shoreline prototype as a guide for other community projects
The first clearing was done in early August and made a useable space for students to enjoy.
PHASE 1: FULLY FUNDED PHYSICAL DOCK STRUCTURE, FLOATING PIER, CLASSROOM, STORAGE STRUCTURE AND MOBILE OUTDOOR LEARNING TOOLS.
PHASE 2: $170,000 NEED A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT SHORELINE AND RIPARIAN BUFFER THAT WILL FOSTER A LIVING LABORATORY FOR OUR STUDENTS.
PHASE 3: NEED STILL BEING FINALIZED WATERFRONT PROJECT TO ADD STRUCTURES THAT MAXIMIZE OUR NATURAL OUTDOOR SPACE FOR LEARNING, WORSHIP, AND LEISURE.
For further details on this project or to explore opportunities for contribution, reach out to Amy Moreau, Director of Advancement, at amy moreau@norfolkchristian.org or call 757226-7247
Amy Watson looks on as Sienna Surratt works on a poster for the Thanksgiving Food Drive.
by Amy Watson Beach Campus 4th Grade Teacher
The mission of Norfolk Christian Schools is to equip each student spiritually, intellectually and physically to love God and to serve Him as an ambassador of Christ in the world Ambassador At Norfolk Christian, this word is literally how we are known- in our local area and in the athletic community It is boldly emblazoned on nearly every hoodie and t-shirt donned by students walking through our halls and it’s proudly transcribed on every letterhead and e-mail signature sent out
According to our mission statement, Ambassador is the core of who we are as a school and what we strive to send out into the world when students leave our classrooms But, do our students know what it means? Do they know what Paul was calling us to in 1 Corinthians 5:20 when he declared that we are “therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us?”
At the beginning of each year, I find that my fourth graders have a varying and limited understanding of the word “ambassador ” Some think it’s a title given to anyone who helps someone else Others think it is reserved for those representing their team in the Olympics or their country, such as in the United Nations Since fourth grade serves as guardians of this core value, we take time to address their misconceptions After studying and discerning Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, as well as the Great Commission in Matthew 28, their understanding shifts to a more Biblical perspective Fourth grader Micah Wu had this to say after delving into ambassadorship last year “Now I know that being an ambassador of Christ is still helping others but most importantly, it’s about representing Christ to the people I am helping ” Sam Kennedy also changed his thinking “Now when I think of an ambassador, I think of a disciple who has the responsibility of sharing the gospel with others through actions and words ”
If ambassadorship is literally our mission as a school, not to mention a commandment as Christ-followers, we can’t just teach its meaning to our students; we need to give them opportunities to practice it At our lower schools, we do just that We strive to foster deeper understanding of this and our other foundational Christian values not only through the work done in our classrooms but also through serviceoriented learning This is aptly named “Christian Deeper Learning ” Classes in grades PreK through 5 seek to integrate service into their educational experiences, rooted in the belief that true discipleship involves both acquiring knowledge and actively living out the teachings of Christ Different grade levels take on specific projects, known as Expeditionary Learning Projects These are intentionally cultivated to support each grade’s academic standards as well as to convey the core values we guard as believers Students are provided with opportunities to develop leadership and critical thinking skills, along with a profound sense of Christlike compassion and, in many cases, a desire to serve others as Christ did
Volunteering at Manna Ministries; making toiletry and snack bags, and writing notes of scripture and encouragement for the locals who will receive them
Ambassadors in Action
In my classroom, fourth graders focus on the core value of Ambassadorship Each October, we kick off our Expeditionary Learning with our biggest service project of the year: a Thanksgiving Food Drive We choose one local organization to partner with, allowing students to see first-hand the needs and resources available in our community Building such partnerships is key to service-oriented learning and gives students the humbling opportunity of seeing beyond their own lives and into the lives of others In the past, our class has partnered with organizations such as ForKids, PiN Ministries and the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) to learn about the work they do and how students like themselves can get involved and serve In 2023-2024, we partnered with local food pantry, Manna Ministries Students met founders John and Beth Voorhies to learn about the origin and mission of their organization, and saw just how great an impact the food pantry has had, all to the glory of God Manna steps in to provide food and household essentials to those waiting for longterm assistance from other agencies
For fourth grader Sammy Capps, learning about Manna was an eye opener “I was surprised that so many people needed so much help and food right here in Virginia Beach I think it’s amazing that God leads them to Manna and that they are taken care of And I got to help with it ”
Integrating service into learning not only teaches students empathy and actively engages them as ambassadors for Christ, it lets them put into practice other core values we focus on at Norfolk Christian Prior to kicking off our Food Drive, students spent time reflecting on 1 Peter 4:10; “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms ” I challenged my students to identify the gifts they feel God has given them and find a way to put them into action in support of our project From there, specific teams were formed to gather and disseminate information to our campus The Tech Team created digital flyers and messages to give parents details for the Food Drive Our Creative Team designed signs to hang around our building, while the Communications Team was
responsible for drafting and delivering speeches to the student body
Fourth grader Sienna Surratt knew immediately which team she wanted to be part of “I think I have a talent for being creative and I wanted to use that gift to help make posters so other people would know about the food drive and help ” In addition to utilizing students’ gifts, these groups provided cross-curricular opportunities to engage in writing, speaking, and editing Through their tasks, students also practiced collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking In the case of Sienna, she was able to combine many of those skills in serving as captain of her team “I was put in charge of the Creative Team I helped the kids on my team with their artwork when they struggled I helped them with finding supplies and with keeping on task I helped keep us organized so we were able to finish in time and get our posters up to promote the Food Drive,” Sienna continued “I loved being the leader because I enjoy helping others and encouraging them ”
Through the efforts of our fourth graders and the generosity of our Beach Campus families, our Food Drive collected over 1,000 items to restock the shelves at Manna and provide for families during the holiday season Fourth graders collected, sorted, packed, delivered, and unloaded the donations themselves and were able to tour the facility at Manna and pray over the volunteers involved in this wonderful ministry
As students walk out these service experiences, support of our Expeditionary Learning project continues in the classroom in other ways Class novels in fourth grade are carefully selected to include characters who boldly and courageously serve as ambassadors in their own stories From embracing a new classmate who is facing personal hardships in Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes, to a refugee boy in the true story by Linda Sue Park, A Long Walk To Water, whose leadership skills and kindness helped save hundreds of other boys on the run during the war A Long Walk to Water,
in Sudan We take time to identify these ambassadors, their traits, and contributions
During each of our Virginia Studies units, we investigate key individuals in history who helped build and establish our state and our nation We explore the character of these leaders, their strengths and weaknesses, and how, despite their circumstances, God called and used them as ambassadors during their own time
Through each subject area and project, fourth graders spend the year viewing everything through this lens of their core valueambassadorship As we continually look back to I Corinthians 5, Matthew 28, and I Peter 4, our prayer is that God’s Living Word will permeate their hearts and minds with a desire to represent Christ and share His gospel with others through their words and actions
Towers Falling
IIt’s the most storied and anticipated event of Lower School at Norfolk Christian - the fifth grade celebration cruise after the last day of school Fifth graders from both lower school campuses left their graduation ceremonies and showed up at The Spirit of Norfolk in their Sunday best to commemorate this end of an era God gave the Class of 2031 a perfect day on the water and they did not waste a second of it!
Students spent the afternoon eating gourmet fare, playing games on the top deck like checkers, Jenga, and Foosball, and leaving it all on the dance floor with a great DJ who knew exactly what they wanted to hear From dance circles to dance battles to freestyling, this group celebrated in style
At the end of the day, our soon-to-be middle schoolers hugged their teachers and waved ‘goodbye for now’ to their friends, ready to enjoy summer and see each other again in sixth grade It was a day they will never forget and a wonderful way to celebrate a monumental milestone
IIn 1963, Norfolk Christian founder John Dunlap asked families to join him in a new endeavor, building a gymnasium for the growing school’s student body Through the sacrifice of many, what we now call the Ambassador Gym was built and opened in 1964, complete with a stage for fine arts productions and school gatherings In 1965, high school students performed the first NCS musical on the new stage, HMS Pinafore
Since that wonderful opening, the stage has been used for fifty years of fine arts performances, assemblies, and community gatherings Decades of Norfolk Christian graduates have walked across it as they accepted their diplomas Yet it has remained unchanged physically and aesthetically from the facility that opened in 1964
During the summer of 2023, a plan was created to update this hallmark of Norfolk Christian’s history into a space equipped for the modern uses of today With a focus on worship and fine arts, the Stage Renovation campaign was launched to fund a new stage facade, storage, and curtain, along with state-of-the-art lighting and sound The project was completed in phases over the next year, as generous donations were committed to it The final phase, which includes installing custom lighting and sound packages, will occur this fall, and a dedication ceremony is planned for late September
The newly transformed Ambassador Stage will be a state-of-the-art performance area that serves as the centerpiece for weekly student
chapel worship, theatrical productions, band and choral concerts, and many community events We are delighted to honor the legacy of this historic space while also providing students with an updated venue for spiritual growth and artistic expression Praise God that the vision of Dr John Dunlap continues to equip our students to be Ambassadors for Christ in every pursuit
Proscenium Reconstruction
Bleachers Refurbishment
Stage Curtains & Installation
Stage Expansion Roll-out
Sound System & Installation
Lighting & Installation
wWhen plans were discussed to renovate the Ambassador Stage, they brought an opportunity the Norfolk Christian community had been searching for since the nineties, a way to honor graduate Jenni Prevette and her family Jenni was a well-loved member of the Class of 1991 who immersed herself in every part of NCS student life, from excelling in academics to cheering for our athletic teams to leading her peers in student government Her main love, however, was the fine arts She performed many times on the Ambassador Stage as an actress and member of the chorus At the core of all of her activities, Jenni loved the Lord and was a true Ambassador for Christ
After graduating from Norfolk Christian in 1991, Jenni went on to Furman University in South Carolina During her sophomore year, God called her home when a car accident tragically cut her life short, a loss which still echoes through many in the NCS community Although it has been three decades since she walked our campus, Jenni’s memory is forever etched in Norfolk Christian’s history, and lives on brightly through her parents Hank and Susie, her brother David, and many Ambassador staff and alumni It is a distinct privilege to honor Jenni by naming the newly renovated stage “The Jenni Prevette Memorial Stage,” as a lasting tribute to her example of true Christian character and ambassadorship
“As an alumna of Norfolk Christian Schools, it warms my heart to reflect on the cherished memories shared at the Ambassador Gym. From basketball games with my brothers to being part of the inaugural girls' basketball team, each moment holds a special place in my heart. The art classes with Mrs. Branning allowed me to showcase my creativity within those very walls, making the gym a canvas for not just sports but artistic expression.
Walking across the stage during graduation, I felt a sense of accomplishment and belonging, reinforced by the verse gifted to me by Gene Garrick and the faculty. Seeing my sons, Chad and Timmy, follow in my footsteps and create their own memories within the gym fills me with thankfulness and joy.
I am excited for future NCS generations to experience the same sense of community and growth that I did. The improved lights and sound will enhance these experiences. May students continue to grow in their knowledge of and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that the updated stage will be dedicated to the memory of Jenni Prevette makes it even more special. As a teenager, I babysat for the Prevette family; they were so easy and fun to be around. My parents even bought the Prevette’s beautifully decorated home when they decided to sell it. My family and I spent many hours in that house, and it holds a special place in our hearts. I am grateful to the Prevette family for their contributions to the school community and so honored for them at the naming of this stage after their daughter, Jenni.”
$1,581,375
e are thrilled to share the incredible impact of your generosity towards our school community in Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 Thanks to your unwavering support, we received $1,581,375 in total charitable giving
In addition to providing supplemental needs for students and faculty at every campus, your contributions allowed us to make needed facility purchases and upgrades, provide financial aid to qualified families, and invest in programs that foster academic excellence and spiritual growth
As we look ahead, we humbly ask for your continued support in our mission of equipping Norfolk Christian’s students and staff Your contributions help us offer a thriving learning environment where students can grow spiritually, intellectually, and physically, as they prepare to impact their world as Ambassadors for Christ
At Norfolk Christian Schools, we are thrilled to share the impact of the 2024 Fun Run on our STEAM program initiatives at both NCS Lower School Campuses in Virginia Beach & Norfolk The Fun Run not only promotes character-building and fitness among our lower school students but also raises essential funds for our campuses This year, the proceeds from the Fun Run have been directed towards enhancing our STEAM programs, fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in our students
The Fun Run is more than just a fundraising event; it is a celebration of community involvement and support The recent Fun Run held on April 18 was a testament to the unity and spirit of our school community coming together to make a difference Since its inception in 2021, the Boosterthon Fun Run has raised an impressive total of $140,000, all of which has directly benefited our lower school campuses
Past funds from the Fun Run have been allocated to various areas such as security upgrades, technology enhancements, robotics programs, campus beautification, and more Each year, we strive to invest in different aspects of our school to provide the best possible learning environment for our students
We are immensely grateful for the support of our parents, students, teachers, and the wider community Your generosity and participation have made a significant difference in the lives of our students and the quality of education we provide
WWe are thrilled to announce that our Summer 2024 golf tournament was a huge success, all thanks to generous contributions and unwavering support!
Together, we raised an incredible $91,094, which will go towards providing the students and teachers at Norfolk Christian Schools with the resources they need to excel This amount includes $10,000 that goes directly to the Teacher's Annual Christmas Bonus
$91,094 Raised!!!
RAISED FROM THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT!!!
THANK YOU TO OUR 33 SPONSORS, 132 GOLFERS, 24 VOLUNTEERS, AND OTHERS WHO RAISED $91,094 TO SUPPORT STUDENTS & TEACHERS AT EVERY CAMPUS!
Norfolk Christian Schools received a $60,000 gift from Beazley Foundation, Inc , enabling the purchase of a new 40passenger school bus This bus will replace an older model, providing reliable and safe student transport for daily bus routes and field trips
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
In 2004, a donor bought Norfolk Christian’s entire bus fleet In the last five years, we have begun slowly replacing these vehicles, with this being the second new bus purchased in three years
Norfolk Christian hired retired sheriff’s deputy and alumni parent Brian Capps to be our Security Director in 2022, and he had audits performed by Homeland Security and local law enforcement of all three NCS campuses Guided by their suggestions, multiple enhancements have been performed over the last year to further harden our building security In addition to these facility upgrades, dedicated and trained full-time security officers are now present on each campus during the school day
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
Many of the recent security enhancements were above and beyond standard protocols and made possible by generous donations from friends and supporters of Norfolk Christian With close to 1,000 students and staff spread among three campuses, we are constantly seeking ways to provide the safest possible learning environments Thank you to all who contribute to these efforts!
After our Security Director was struck by a car while directing traffic in March, the City of Norfolk quickly responded to our requests for increased safety measures on Thole Street By May, a new crosswalk and "SCHOOL" markings had been painted, with additional signage and flashing school zone lights in discussion for the future We are so grateful for the quick, helpful action of everyone we have worked with at the City, and to our NCS community for helping us slow traffic and keep our Upper School campus safe
NNCS scholarships are offered thanks to generous advocates who established and funded each award with a heart to encourage Norfolk Christian students in their academic pursuits These scholarships are not based on financial need These are strictly given on merit and meeting the intent of the scholarship criteria
“WE ARE THEREFORE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS, AS THOUGH GOD WERE MAKING HIS APPEAL THROOUGH US. WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST’S BEHALF: BE RECONCILED TO GOD.”
II CORINTHIANS 5:20
OOperating a thriving Christian school like NCS is expensive Our needs exceed the revenue from tuition and fees -- because of the priority to maintain attainable tuition rates and modest tuition increases That means NCS counts on the giving of a community of partners -- those who provide faithful support to the school year after year
A gift to Norfolk Christian helps us equip all student and faculty Ambassadors through optimal classroom experiences and excellent programming in a Christ-centered environment It may also help you avoid unnecessary taxes
CASH GIFTS
Make a single one-time donation, or consider a recurring monthly gift Online giving is available at norfolkchristian org under the Give option
Make gifts online at: norfolkchristian org/give or mail a check to: Advancement
Norfolk Christian Schools 255 Thole Street Norfolk, VA 23505
TAX CREDIT GIVING
Tax credit donations made to our partner foundation fund needbased tuition scholarships for qualifying families who attend Norfolk Christian You earn a tax break, and you give the gift of a Christian Education
APPRECIATED ASSETS
Appreciated stock or real estate you have owned for more than one year will generate tax savings when donated directly to NCS
GIFTS IN KIND Possibilities are limitless NCS uses and needs many goods and services
MATCHING GIFTS
Charitable donations by current or retired employees are matched by some companies Ask your employer
PLANNED GIFTS
It doesn't have to be complicated to include NCS in your will We have the resources to help with this or other types of future gifts
Estate planning is made easy with help from our partners at Barnabas Foundation You can ensure that the legacy you leave behind reflects your values and leaves a lasting impact on loved ones and charities you hold dear
Call Amy Moreau at 757-233-8448 to set up an appointment at no cost to you with our Barnabas Representative
Will Rodriguez has always been a dreamer With music a passion for as long as he can remember, he had big plans
for his post-high-school life But even Will wouldn’t have guessed he’d be sitting in Dr Dre’s studio at 24, networking with record companies It’s a dream he wakes up thankful for every day
Will's interest in music began early but really took off in sixth grade, when he started producing and selling CDs at the lunch table Feeling called to pursue music as a career, he has seized every opportunity since then to make it a reality
After graduating from NCS, Will earned his B A from James Madison University in Contemporary Music Production and Marketing through the Interdisciplinary Studies program He then took some time to travel extensively and deepen relationships with Christ, as well as his friends and family During that period, he worked in various capacities and got to meet incredible creative individuals along the way Looking back, he can see God’s hand in every encounter, even those that seemed to yield nothing
It’s a non-traditional career path Will has chosen, one that takes creativity and never giving up to get your foot in any door It’s why he’s done things like drive 40 hours to L A , why he’s not afraid to bother industry professionals who may not give him thirty seconds of their time He knows that breaking into the close-knit music industry is almost impossible without people who are willing to take a chance on you So Will has spent the years since college making as much music as he possibly can and putting himself out there time and time again He posted original music on social media almost daily for three years He’s networked at every opportunity, always hoping to find the person who will open a door
Will’s first job actually came through a guest speaker in a freshman music industry class at JMU named Ian Mcleod Ian talked about his Music Licensing company Cleod9, who made music for all sorts of commercials Will chased him down after the class and began a relationship that he maintains to this day The first job they landed was a construction-tech company commercial; it blew Will’s mind to think his music was on a commercial! From there, other opportunities opened up God has filled in gaps where Will’s efforts failed and closed plenty of doors But with each new gig came the chance to meet new faces in the industry and showcase his music to different people
Since that first job, Will has had the privilege of working on a variety of projects, including concert intros, trailerizations, commercials, and traditional streaming releases The place where he has found the most success has been in the world of professional sports His music has been featured hundreds of times on major sports networks like ESPN, NFL, and NBA, and he has created custom music for the
A L U M N I F E A T U R E
Talking music on a podcast and sitting courtside at an L A Clippers game, hearing the Walkout music he wrote in the arena for the first time.
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks A recent highlight was writing a custom score for the announcement of the Golden State Valkyries WNBA team
Primarily, Will writes music to video He dedicates countless hours to perfect each melody, sound, and rhythm to effectively tell the story of each project His creative process typically begins with discussions that spark immediate inspiration Referencing pre-existing music, Will creates a sonic palette and then builds from there Some projects require precise timing and dynamics, while others allow for a more open-ended approach His favorite part of the process is realizing the world the music inhabits and exploring it through melody, instrumentation, and arrangement
Like many in the music industry, Will is always in search of the next project As grateful as he is for each new job, he knows the one after it is not guaranteed There are many areas of the industry he hasn’t broken into yet, so cultivating diverse relationships is a constant Ultimately, Will dreams of scoring feature films, drawn to the
storytelling aspect of music With substantial time developing relationships with directors and studios, he prays those opportunities will emerge, with God’s favor guiding the path forward The Lord has already put one such person in Will’s life, when he recently lived for two months with a Dreamworks director in L A He loves the Lord, and deeply inspired and encouraged Will in his creativity and career pursuits
Will’s advice to fellow dreamers is to put your work out into the world, no matter how uncomfortable it is “You need to share your art or no opportunity will come Never stop creating, and fall deeper in love with the gift God has given you When we create, we praise our Creator The wages of sin is death, so don’t work for the world’s praise, but accept the gift of life from God We don’t have to prove ourselves, we have already been justified and validated by our Heavenly Father through Jesus Allow yourself to be the clay, submit to the potter, and go from there Oh, and also read contracts really carefully and have legal professionals look at them before you sign anything ”
You can check out Will’s music on his Instagram channel here and on his website here
Spending her high school days listening to Sue Royster talk about the environment had quite an impact on 2020 grad Shemaiah
Kentish Mrs Royster’s passion for God’s world lit a fire that has guided her path in life ever since
After NCS, Shemaiah went on to attend George Mason University’s Honors College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Equity and Environmental Justice While there, she had the opportunity to intern at the U S Geological Survey, which gave her a solid foundation in scientific research and data analysis, and highlighted the impact of rising temperatures on fish spawning and, consequently, fisheries and food supply She also worked part-time for a custom home builder, where she gained practical experience in project management and client interaction within the construction industry The role enhanced her communication skills and helped her develop the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders
Since she graduated from GMU this past May,
Shemaiah prepping a bioretention area
Shemaiah has embarked on a remarkable new journey in the field of environmental sustainability She is currently a project associate at GreenLink Education, an environmental consulting firm specializing in sustainability management and climate action advisory services She has taken on significant responsibilities, including creating and managing a high school internship program and overseeing the EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program application process, to implement electric school buses in a Michigan school district
Shemaiah has been accepted into the M S Integrative Studies and Technology (ISAT) and Environmental Management program at James Madison University and the University of Malta, and will begin master’s courses in August In her current role at GreenLink, she’s gained deeper insights into environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility, aligning with a passion for environmental conservation These varied experiences have equipped her with a well-rounded perspective and transferable skills that she knows are applicable across multiple industries Moving forward, she aims to leverage these experiences to contribute meaningfully to organizations prioritizing innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility
Along with her busy professional life, Shemaiah has ventured into entrepreneurship with Fig Tree & Co , a business born out of a desire to stay creative during the pandemic The business focuses on creating new apparel designs and custom items, bringing joy to customers and providing her with
A L U M N I F E A T U R E
Graduating from George Mason University
Modeling an original Fig Tree & Co. design
an outlet to satisfy her passion for art and creativity
While she loves bringing new products to life for customers, her favorite thing is creating custom designs for family and friends
Reflecting on her high school days at Norfolk Christian, classes with Mrs Royster stand out as pivotal moments that shaped Shemaiah's career choices Mrs Royster's passion for the environment ignited Shemaiah’s own commitment to environmental protection and sustainability She also provided Shemaiah with opportunities for leadership development by allowing her to serve as a lab assistant Most importantly, integrating Bible verses and BIblical Truths into science classes deeply impacted Shemaiah’s understanding of why we should care for the world we live in - not just for its own sake but because we are stewards of the resources God has given us
When she left NCS, she knew it had to be a purposeful decision to stay spiritually grounded in a new setting During her time at George Mason, Shemaiah participated in YoungLife and Immanuel Christian Fellowship (ICF), both of which played a crucial role in her personal and spiritual growth She can’t wait to get plugged in again on the JMU campus
Looking to the future, Shemaiah dreams of expanding environmental advocacy and playing a more active role in championing environmental protections Getting to lead high school interns at GreenLink was a life-changing experience It prompted her to consider how she might work environmental education into her career path
Now, she hopes to share her desire to protect the environment with others and inspire future generations to become environmental champions
Her longtime love for sea turtles continues to be one of the things that fuels her passion for environmental conservation
Wherever God places her, we know Shemaiah will be an influential advocate for protecting His world and encouraging others to care for it well
See Shemaiah’s custom designs on Instagram at @the fig tree co
“Reflections
by Michelle Sandwell
T“They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony ” (Revelation 12:11)
Have you ever had a verse that kept resounding in your thoughts and wondered, “Lord, where is this leading?” For weeks leading up to the senior retreat, this verse from Revelation kept appearing in times of prayer, in times of searching God’s Word, and even in random conversations Little did anyone know what God would do on our senior retreat last September!
During that life-changing week, our first nightly session began with Mr Gangle, the senior class Apologetics teacher, giving a powerful and vulnerable testimony Students responded that evening with poignant conversations about people in their own lives who they judged from the outside without ever knowing their stories
The next evening, the Lord gave me a message to share on “Mistaken Identity” from the passage in Matthew where Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” I exhorted students to allow Jesus to define their value and identity At the end of the message, an invitation to prayer led to many, many students staying for over an hour for prayer Some rededicated their lives to the Lord; several made a first-time commitment to make Jesus their personal Savior, and others began praying for each other For hours throughout the rest of the evening, students spontaneously met in groups together, some in quiet corners of the building, some in cabins, others in a group circle under the starlit sky, to pray and to be open and vulnerable with one another
Senior speakers praying with Mrs. Sandwell and Bible study leader Steve Bishard before sharing in chapel
Something powerful was beginning, and it was because of “the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony ” A move of God was happening, and it was coming through the students The next morning, several students stood before their peers and gave their personal testimonies of repentance and healing They spoke of discovering that the things of this world they thought would satisfy them were no substitutes for the life-changing power of the love of Jesus Throughout the remainder of the retreat, students shared their stories, shared their struggles and their victories won, and in all of it, Christ was glorified!
Within a week of their return, these seniors began planning to get together for worship nights What a joy to witness a house full of teenagers on a Saturday night choosing to worship the Lord with abandon! They went on to be leaders in our high school this year in many ways, establishing traditions that drew younger students in and gave them safety to be vulnerable before the Lord A senior-led chapel in the fall allowed four seniors to challenge and encourage the student body with their testimonies and started a movement of class-led chapels that was adopted by every high school grade by the end of the year
What God began on our senior trip changed our Upper School and will continue to for many years May all the glory and praise be directed to the Lamb who was slain, until that day when we stand before the throne and join in the song, “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God of nations” (Revelation 15:3)
As the year carried on, our seniors were inundated with the workload required to finish high school well They were faced with major life decisions, college and career plans, and the responsibilities of young adulthood When I was asked to speak at their graduation ceremonywhich was such an incredible honor - God laid a message on my heart that reflected back on their senior trip and looked forward to their journey into the world as Ambassadors I pray it resonates with you readers, maybe even some former students, as well
Remember Senior Retreat? Remember how Ms. Posch and I decided to go get pizza for some of you who weren’t having the best culinary experience at the camp that week? For those who weren’t there, here’s what happened. Ms. Posch and I felt bad for a few of our students who were pretty hungry after not eating dinner, so we called ahead and ordered pizza from the nearest place available. Keep in mind that this camp was in the middle of nowhere and the nearest little town was about 8 miles away.
We borrowed Cole Hutchinson’s truck and embarked on our humanitarian mission expecting to be back in maybe half an hour. We got maybe a mile down the road before we realized there was no cell phone reception. No GPS service, and we couldn’t even call or send texts. But we were brimming with confidence, and I distinctly remember shrugging our shoulders and saying, “How hard can it be to find this pizza place in such a small town?” We had seen it on the way in, and we felt certain we would recognize some land-
marks. That turned out to not be the case. After cruising up and down the main stretch of highway several times, we decided to do what all smart people do and ask for directions. We pulled into a nearby gas station, and lo and behold, a kindly looking older gentleman wearing overalls and a faded hat was casually leaning up against the wall taking what appeared to be a smoke break. Sounds promising, I know.
We asked him how to get to the pizza place, and he replied something along the lines of, “Oh, Little Italy? Yeah. It’s just a ways up yonder! Now whatcha do is, you just go on up here to the corner and take a left at the stop sign, then when you get to the corn field with a big crab sign out front you just keep going. When you get to the next stop sign, take a left and then it’ll be right around the corner.” And then he ended with these infamous words: “YOU CAN’T MISS IT!”
With “You can’t miss it” ringing in our ears, we proceeded to, in fact, miss it. We circled various streets missing it for at least 30 minutes until, with darkness beginning to fall, we saw a Hardees from the Lord and just got a big box of chicken tenders. There was still the matter of navigating back to the camp in the dark with no GPS, which went about how you’d expect. In total, it was more than 2 hours before we finally made it back. So when I was first asked to give the commencement address for your class, this was one of the first memories that popped into my mind. And I thought about that simple little phrase uttered by that man, “You can’t miss it.”
The thing is, what I’m going to share with you today is something I desperately want you to not miss! I want to tell each one of you, “You can’t miss it”, and yet the truth is, you have your own choice over whether you miss it or not. Unlike Ms. Posch and I on our ill-fated trip, you have navigational guidance, you have directions, you have others to journey alongside you, but whether you miss it or not depends solely on you. So here we go…
I was praying several weeks ago about what specific message to give to this class. A few ideas began to form, some witty stories came to mind, and I kicked
around a few inspirational themes. But as I was praying in the parking lot of a grocery store, of all places, the Lord spoke to me and said,
“If you only had 5 minutes left on earth, what message would you want to say to these students?”
And suddenly I realized, this actually IS the last 5 minutes I’ll have to address you as STUDENTS of NCS. In just a few minutes, you’ll be turning your tassels and your time as students here will officially end. What I’m about to tell you will be the last message you’ll hear during your years as a Norfolk Christian student.
As I pondered what I wanted these last words to be, it immediately became so obviously clear. Now, I could give you practical advice like, “wear sunscreen” or “always eat dessert first” (I stand by that; you never know when Jesus is coming back, and I’m not going out on salad, I’ll tell you that right now). I could give you soaring rhetoric about following your dreams and reaching for the stars. But if it really were my last 5 minutes on earth with you, there’s only one thing I’d speak about, the only thing, in the end, that really matters, and that’s my wonderful, beautiful Jesus. I’d point you to the one thing in life that I don’t want you to miss.
If I only had 5 minutes left with you, I’d tell you that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, loves you more than you can possibly comprehend. I’d tell you that no matter what you’ve done, or what you will do, His blood is more powerful than your sins. I’d tell you that I hope you never, ever lose the wonder and marvel of this truth, that for all who believe on Him and are surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven! Can you believe that?? All your sins are forgiven! I’d tell you that even when you feel like a failure because your sins seem too overwhelming, if you don’t know what to do about your sin, I know a way, and you can’t miss it! And I’d point you to the cross of Calvary.
If I only had 4 minutes left with you, I’d tell you that nothing else in this world will ever satisfy you the way that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will. You were created with a deep, instinctive need for belonging, and the world will offer a thousand cheap substitutes to satisfy that craving. But nothing, absolutely nothing, not your friends, not your boyfriend or girlfriend, not your diploma from a fancy college, not your career, not your sorority or fraternity, not your bank account, not your accomplishments, not your job title, NOTHING compares to the fulfillment of your identity you’ll find in Jesus! I would tell you that you’re not even fully alive until you’ve surrendered your life to Him. You’re a walking shell of yourself, part alive, part dead, until He brings a quickening in your spirit when you are born again. The more you know Jesus, the more you find out who you really are! All the false narratives, the carefully curated images that you may have worked so hard to achieve, suddenly begin to fade away as you set your eyes on Jesus instead of on yourself. The lies of the enemy lose their power of deception over you when you hear Jesus calling you by name. When it comes to your identity, Satan knows your name but calls you [identifies you] by your sin; Jesus knows your sin but calls you [identifies you] by your name. In a few months, some of you will be going to college orientations where people will ask you how you identify, your pronouns, where you’re from, what you’re majoring in, looking for a quick way to form an idea of who you are. You may be seeking that for yourself as well. But if you’re searching for your identity, for the value of your life, I know where you can find it! It’s found first and foremost in the crucified Christ at the cross of Calvary. Please, don’t miss it!
If I only had 3 minutes left with you,
I’d tell you that being in a Christian school doesn’t make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car. YOU are responsible for making the personal decision to cultivate a relationship with
God. Find a local church and get involved. If you’re going to college, get connected to a campus ministry, ideally within the first 48 hours. Make a regular habit of discussing spiritual things with other believers. Most important of all, and I cannot stress this enough, make the space DAILY for your personal time with the Lord. Whatever you feed will grow, and whatever you starve will die. If you feed your spiritual life it will grow, if you starve it, it will die. The same is true of your worldly desires. Wherever your eyes are fixed, there your feet will follow. If you are truly seeking Him, you can’t miss Him! He is a heartbeat, a whisper, a prayer away!
If I only had 2 minutes left with you, I’d tell you to be watchful. Your faith will be challenged by the world into which many of you are about to step. But like the young Hebrew boys in the Babylonian fire, there will always be the “fourth man in the fire”, the Son of God, with you. I’d tell you that JESUS is with you! He is your “ever-present help in times of trouble”. And lastly, I’d praise Jesus with everything that’s in me and proclaim to you who He is! He is your Healer when you are wounded. When you are in need, He is your Provider. When you can’t seem to find your way, He is your Deliverer. When you are in distress, He is your Refuge and your Fortress. When the storms of life howl and rage, He is your Anchor. When you are sad, He is your Comforter. When you are lonely and rejected, He is your Friend that sticks closer than a brother. When you feel like a spiritual failure, He is your Righteousness - He clothes you in His own righteousness. When you feel spiritually weary, He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. When you are in the valley of the shadow of death, He is the Resurrection and the Life. You can’t miss Him!
If I only had 1 minute left, I’d tell you that Jesus is not A way, He is THE Way, He is not a truth, He is THE Truth, He is not a life, He is THE Life. I would tell you that He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. I would tell you that kings and kingdoms will rise and fall, empires have come and gone, but of HIS kingdom there shall be no end. I would tell you that He is the Good Shepherd who will lead you beside still waters. He is the Great High Priest who has torn the veil between you and God. He is the Holy and Anointed One at whose name the enemy is set to flight. I would tell you He is Emmanuel, God with you, who will never leave you nor forsake you. He is Yeshua, the One who saves, the Lamb of God who was slain before the foundations of the world. I would tell you He is your Advocate who sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you! He is the Lord of Lords, the Great I Am, He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He is the all-powerful, holy, righteous, soon-coming King of Kings!
And when it came down to my last final seconds, even if it were my final breath, I’d tell you this truth upon which everything in existence rests:
Norfolk Christian Class of 2024, the words of the man on the Eastern shore were “You can't miss it”. I’m telling you today that the most important set of directions you will ever receive in your life are contained in this one book. I’m giving you a sobering warning that you CAN miss Him, if you allow the cares and distractions, the vain philosophies of this world, to choke out your desire for Him. But if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. You can’t miss Him! Your roadmap, or GPS, is the Word of God; your source of power is the Holy Spirit, and your final destination is an eternal home with the One who gave His life for you.
Ryleigh Allen
Genesis Aracena-Fermin
Dawan Barnes
Ronnie Barnes
Nia Beverly
Julia Bibbo
Caroline Bishard
Noah Clark
Chad Coleman
Natalie Duckworth
Matthew Dunton
Lauren Engel
Elizabeth Ferguson
Courtney Franklin
Chloe Gensler
Chloe Hardison
Jaden Henderson
Cole Hutchinson
Kyron Jennings
Clayton Jessup
Caleb Jones
Juelz-SaMeek Knight
Jaylen Lamb
Hunter Lowery
Theresa Manning
Jack McClanan
Declan McDonald
Zachary McDonough
Kaci Morrison
Linh (Mary) Nguyen
Avery Owen
Joshua Pantangan
Maya Perez
Grace Perrone
Lane Puckett
Gabrielle Revels
Lily Rhodes
Taylor Rickman
James Ritchie
Andreea Rotaru
DaKarri Russell
Camden Sanford
Zaria Saunders
Rebekah Savery
Jinyin (Selina) Shen
James Shepard
Bailey Silva-Pulliam
Mason Smith
Lily Strickland
Damon Thornton
Cole Tibbetts
Elise Tiemeyer
Caden Tucker
Kiya Tucker
Samuel Via
Thomas Vokoun
Payton White
O F id O b 6 h h ndred alumni and alumni families gathered at the Upper School for tball, and a lot of Ambassador spirit The Class of 2023 made their
November 21st
OOur annual “Moe’s at Thanksgiving” event on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break brought more than 50 young alumni back to the Upper School campus to see teachers, visit with friends, and munch on a free Moe’s fiesta We love catching up with our youngest graduates and hearing all of the new things God is doing in their lives!
OOne of Norfolk Christian’s oldest traditions is the winter alumni basketball game Close to thirty players hit the court at this year’s event, pitting the “old team” of players from 2017 and back as far as 1985, against graduates from 2018 through 2023 The competition was fierce and often comical but the old guys prevailed in the end and were crowned with the coveted net hats Hanson Hatcher ‘17 grabbed the title of highest scorer for the second year in a row, while Art Tate ‘85 held onto the record for most alumni games played in Friends and family enjoyed a great dinner on Main Street in between watching our alumni and girls and boys basketball teams Before the night ended, we succeeded in capturing alumni from six decades in one photo! How many can you name?
How many Ambassadors can you squeeze into one photo? 46 and counting!
OOn a whirlwind trip through Western Virginia, Ms Sandwell, Mr McCleese, Mrs Bayse, and Mr Gispert got to check in on 40 of our college students right on their campuses With stops at Liberty, Virginia Tech, UVA, and JMU, they had just enough time at each place to buy our grads coffee, hear about their spring semesters, and drop off a treat for them to keep for later (or eat walking to the next stop ) There’s nothing like the chance to pray with our youngest alumni where they live!
The Class of 2024 set an NCS record for having the most secondgeneration graduates ever in a class Fourteen alumni children and their parents gathered for a photo at Senior Dinner - what a testament to the legacy of Norfolk Christian!
TThe Class of 1993 had a long-awaited weekend celebrating their 30th reunion in February 2024 Laughter, memories, and rekindled friendships left this group thrilled to have finally gotten together and eager to see each other more often
TThe Class of 1974 celebrated their 50th reunion on April 19, 2024, after spending two years planning and reconnecting with classmates! Eighteen members of this amazing group gathered at the home of Birdy (Robyn Daniel) Vasile for a wonderful time of fellowship and remembering their days at Norfolk Christian A huge thanks to those who worked tirelessly to bring these friends together!
This group of 2011 grads got together in August 2024 to catch up and reminisce How wonderful to see all of these faces together again!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God"
II Corinthians 1:3-4
Jane Jackson June 24, 2024
Tom Ballance August 23, 2023
Ross McCloud June 7, 2024
Judy Bassette April 26, 2024
Coach Ed Willis July 27, 2023
Linda Mihilasky June 23, 2023
Jim Hinshaw January 18, 2024
Betty Baddorf April 2023
Rupert ‘91 August 1, 2024
Paige (Goodwin) Rose ‘81
July 24, 2024
Jonathan Sadler April 7, 2024
Lois (Burns) Sanderson ‘72 December 27, 2023
Riddle 01 June 7, 2023
Douglas ‘77
June 17, 2024
Gabriel Cohen ‘03 November 16, 2023
June 10, 2024
Linda (Morris) Solomon ‘64 June 27, 2023
Daniel Carlson May 31, 2023
Mark Ewing ‘74 April 29, 2023
by Rick Nikkel
As the former Director of Advancement at Norfolk Christian Schools, my friendship with Jim began over 18 years ago I am honored to pay tribute to a man whose impact and legacy is cherished so deeply
Matthew 7:24-25
Build Your House on the Rock
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock ”
Jim Hinshaw was such a man, and it was evident to all who knew him by his genuine character, his genuine love, and his genuine faith
From the time I met Jim at Norfolk Christian Schools, it was obvious that he was a man of amazing, rocksolid character Countless people went to him for advice on all topics because he could be trusted with their questions and trusted to tell them the truth He was incredibly knowledgeable and wise This strong combination allowed him the ability to speak with bold conviction
Many “Hinshaw mannerisms” which live on in the lives of his former students, like banging his Alabama ring on the podium, were a result of his passion about his convictions Still, Jim was so humble and never overbearing with those convictions If you went to him about a political candidate, no matter the side of the aisle, he would go out of his way not to attack that candidate personally, but he’d say something like “Well let me tell you about their position on ‘this’ or their position on ‘that’ ”
Jim was also a man who genuinely loved
He loved his wife Evelyn and talked about her with great affection He told me early on and many more times how Norfolk Christian had brought the two of them together, although I have received conflicting stories on which one of them first had their eyes on the other Jim’s pride in his family was evident in the way he spoke of his children; John, Joy and David – along with their spouses and his cherished grandchildren
And what about Jim’s love for truth? I had the privilege of attending a Sunday School class he taught on false religions Jim's fervor for guiding others toward biblical truth was demonstrated by his passion while he taught It was unmistakable that he deeply desired for people to grasp and embody the truth of God’s Word
Jim taught with an eternal life or death perspective.
We all know that Jim loved his Alabama Crimson Tide When he approached the gates of heaven, even though he didn’t need a password, he might still have shouted: “Roll, Tide, Roll!”
Finally, Jim was a man of Genuine Faith
Jim trusted and abided in God’s infallible Word, producing in him a deep and authentic faith His trust in God's Word was evident in the way he ordered his thoughts, decisions, and interactions with others
Jim's steadfast belief in Jesus as LORD of his life shaped every aspect of his being, from his wisdom and trustworthiness to his humility and compassion These attributes flowed from him because he trusted and obeyed His foundation in faith not only guided his own actions but also served as a light on a hill to all who knew him
Jim lived his life with an eternal perspective.
His foundation for marriage, family and all other relationships flowed from his faith in Christ as his SAVIOR, allowing Jim to pass along and model the grace and forgiveness that he received from Jesus
Our dear friend Jim Hinshaw left a mark on thousands of lives at Norfolk Christian; I am honored to be one of them His life was one that reflected a true pursuit of God's heart, and his dedication and passion for Christ have inspired many to walk closer with the Lord
At JIm’s Memorial Service last March, we sung the hymn below It was indicative of how he lived his life - in devotion to his Lord and in glorious anticipation of meeting Him face-to-face May we all strive to continue Jim Hinshaw’s legacy of faith and love
“And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim:
"My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.”
James H Hinshaw spent 40 years teaching Norfolk Christian students government and Bible But it was the lessons taught by his character and Godly example that made the greatest impact He loved his Savior and made sure everyone around him knew why We would not be the school we are today without him
Jim met his Savior face to face on January 18, 2024
255 Thole Street
Norfolk, VA 23505
norfolkchristian.org
