ACADEMY
FALL 2024
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Travis J. Larrabee
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT
Grayson Bryant
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Esther M. Diskin
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Kim Yager
EDITOR
Esther M. Diskin
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Mike Connors
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chad Byler
Jack Gibson IV ’08
David Rezelman
Jennifer Rodgers ’97
Gigi Cooke Tysinger ’87
Elbert Watson
Charlotte Zito ’99
PHOTOGRAPHY
Steven Goldburg ’04
Stephanie Kalis
Mike Connors
Esther M. Diskin
Matthew Lester
Kim Yager
DESIGN
RiverBend Design & Lyons Graphics
Norfolk Academy admits students of any race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, and national or ethnic origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other schooladministered programs.
COVER: Lucas Varverud ’25, left, and Nicholas Taddeo ’25 chase the ball during the opening game at the Harvey L. Lindsay Jr. Soccer Complex. PHOTO BY
The Pursuit of Understanding
One of the great joys of being a teacher is seeing those moments when a child’s face lights up with a sudden insight: “I get it.” Sometimes we see those moments after prolonged and overt effort, as students cross out words to revise a thesis statement or rework a math problem. In other cases, it can happen in a flash, as students read, or listen to ideas shared by a teacher or a peer, and they find their way to new and meaningful perspectives.
For some, that newfound perception leads to a desire to share — hands urgently wave in the air, as students seek to put their thoughts, or some new questions, in the mix. Other students may hold onto their thoughts for a bit longer; sharing may only happen as the result of a teacher’s gentle encouragement. Whether expressed aloud or held inwardly, the experience of true understanding is profoundly satisfying, and it spurs greater curiosity.
For teachers, these “light up” moments are not just validating; they provide our sense of purpose — why we do what we do. The quest for understanding may begin with the subject matter we teach, but at Norfolk Academy, we know that there are many layers to any subject. We’re galvanized by the quest to help students understand deeply.
• We guide our students to ask questions about the world around them and to seek answers that go beyond the superficial.
• We encourage our students to build strong relationships, which help them develop empathy and understanding for others, even those whose life experiences are very different from their own.
• And we prompt our students to turn their curiosity toward the examination of their own lives, gaining the inner strength that arises from self-understanding: What brings me joy? How can I contribute positively? What are some goals that will propel me in the right direction?
TRAVIS J. LARRABEE Head of School
In this issue of the Academy magazine, you will find stories about some of our educational programs that help young people explore these questions and more. Our Career Connections program, which just passed the two-decade mark, offers Upper School students and young alumni the chance to investigate professional pathways through internships, many of which are provided by our alumni. Sometimes, an internship reveals a vocation — “This is exactly what I want to do!” — and in other cases, it provides a different lesson, some redirection, and a set of new goals. Hundreds of alumni have gained professional and personal insights through their participation, and they are enormously appreciative.
Another program featured here, Breakthrough at Norfolk Academy, has been operating for more than three decades — an astonishing run. It gives college students, and a few Upper School students, a summer “boot camp” in what it takes to be a teacher, as they teach middle school students from under-resourced communities. As a result of their Breakthrough summer, many of these young recruits discover that spark and become teachers.
Teaching, at its best, is about deep understanding that leads to transformative moments. In this issue, we offer farewell tributes to faculty and staff, each of whom has served this school for more than a quarter century, transforming lives through their knowledge and nurturing. We also explore an exciting transformation to the front of our campus: The Harvey L. Lindsay Jr. Soccer Complex.
Enjoy exploring this issue! I hope that turning the pages will not only give you greater understanding of this institution that we treasure, but also inspire you to come to events on campus or to join our alumni events around the country.
Go, Bulldogs!
Middle School Takes a Fresh Approach to Community Partnerships & Problem-Solving Together
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY & OBJECTIVES
Norfolk Academy strives to foster a sense of responsibility for service to others, first through respect for self and then for every member of the community until unselfishness of thought and action becomes habit. Norfolk Academy strives to develop responsible citizens by providing leadership training and opportunities for participating in such community activities as government, business, and social services.
Community service is the bedrock of the Royster Middle School experience, and it has been for years.
Many alumni will recall the rhythm of the program’s operation: On Wednesday afternoons, with a bagged lunch in hand, students loaded buses at the arch and served at a local agency for the remainder of the school day. It was, by all accounts, a thriving and formative service program — students learned to be responsible, to empathize, to make connections, and more. Many of them prioritized community service not only in Upper School and college, but also into adulthood.
The pandemic in 2020 effectively shuttered the entire program. When the world settled, we reignited conversations about reconnecting with our community partners. The reset allowed us to ask questions and think creatively about how to further align our community service program across divisions. As such, a cohort of faculty and administrators from each of the divisions gathered over the summer in 2022 to establish a unified vision for community engagement work and explore possibilities related to community partnerships — our Statement of Philosophy and
Objectives steered those discussions. We discussed aspects of our service program we wanted to maintain while examining opportunities to introduce new ideas, build new skills, and develop new relationships. We widened our lens: We sought insights from peer schools, shared notes across divisions, and brainstormed avenues for collaboration. Ultimately, we left these conversations energized and eager to begin re-imagining our approach.
In setting the course for the Royster program, our aim was to partner with local organizations, learning more about the work they do to support our community, some of the most significant problems they face, and ways our students might be able to be a part of the solution. We prioritized organizations with whom a standing relationship already exists with our school, as well as those with the bandwidth to support our new direction — it is not lost on us the investment these community partners are making in our students. Additionally, we wanted a diverse roster of partners, one that represented the multitude of ways a young person might be able to make a difference in the lives of others. The diversity of our community partners
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
(2023–24)
Brock Environmental Center
CHKD Mental Health Hospital
Chrysler Museum
CROP Foundation
EQUI-KIDS
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & the Eastern Shore ForKids
The Fred Huette Center
Habitat for Humanity
Eastern Shore
Museum of Contemporary Art
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Operation Smile
Point O’View Elementary
Virginia Zoo
Middle School students volunteer at the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach.
Derek Melvin ’01 is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, where he serves as the head of Global Private Debt Coverage and is responsible for covering the largest alternative asset managers for capital-raising, origination, financing, capital markets, and strategic advice. His team focuses on all debt products related to private corporate credit, real estate, and asset-based finance. Previously, Derek was the head of origination and syndication for the fixed income secured lending business, where he led client strategy across asset managers, insurance companies, and banks. Additionally, Derek served as a member of the Fixed Income Management Committee and Morgan Stanley’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Derek graduated from Harvard University in 2005 and began his career on the securitized products sales desk. While working, he earned an MBA from Columbia University. He and his wife, Dr. Hayley Jones, live in lower Manhattan with their daughter.
DR. JENNIFER GEORGE WARD ’93
Jennifer George Ward ’93, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., an OB-GYN physician, is a member of Complete Women’s Care, a division of Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care. After graduating from Norfolk Academy, she completed her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University, followed by her medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She went on to complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida. In 2005, she returned to Virginia Beach and joined Complete Women’s Care. She has been practicing OB-GYN ever since, with a special interest in menopause management. She and her husband, Travis, reside in Virginia Beach and are the parents of three current Bulldogs. ◆
We are thrilled to have wonderful additions to our Board with unique and varied backgrounds… our outstanding group of Trustees continues to further the mission of delivering an outstanding experience for our students.
BOARD CHAIR JOHN O. WYNNE JR. ’94
DEREK MELVIN ’01
ALWAYS THE SCHOOL’S CHAMPION
Norfolk Academy Honors Henry Clay Hofheimer II with Dedication of Sculpture Garden & Dining Room
Norfolk Academy held a dedication ceremony in February for the Refectory’s formal dining room and a sculpture garden flanking the Samuel C. Johnson Theater, both named in honor of Henry Clay Hofheimer II (1906–2005), who gave unstinting service as a trustee of the school for 33 years.
The ceremony and luncheon were attended by Hofheimer’s descendants, including his three daughters: Clay Barr, who also served as a trustee of the school; Linda Kaufman; and Elise Wright. Their families, including several of Hofheimer’s greatgrandchildren, were also in attendance.
In his welcome, Board President John O. Wynne Jr. ’94 noted the significance of the Hofheimer family’s contributions to, and passion for, Norfolk Academy through the generations.
Barr selected and donated the sculptures, which are modern in design and feature concrete in their fabrication, as a tribute to her father’s business. For many years, the sculptures were in courtyard spaces of the Lower School, but they recently were moved to a more prominent location near the Johnson Theater with artful landscaping and a new wall plaque to commemorate Hofheimer’s contributions to the school.
Similarly, a framed tribute is affixed to the wall of the Henry Clay Hofheimer II Family Dining and Meeting Room in the Youngkin Refectory. That tribute notes that he played a key role in the hiring of Headmaster James B. Massey Jr. (tenure 1950–78), who restarted Norfolk Academy after World War II and
laid the foundation for the modern Academy. It also notes of Hofheimer: “Always the school’s champion, generous with his time, resources, and judgment, he and his wife, Elise, were ever the advocates for Norfolk Academy.”
In her remarks at the luncheon, Barr emphasized her parents’ extraordinary partnership, noting, “There’s nothing that my father succeeded in that my mother was not part of.”
Hofheimer’s influence as a businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist stretched across the region and state. Born in Norfolk, he graduated from the University of Virginia in 1928 and then started Hofheimer Construction Company, which built bridges and roads. He subsequently bought a majority interest in Southern Materials Company Inc., a producer of concrete products and construction materials; when that company was purchased by Lone Star Industries Inc., he became Lone Star’s director.
Through the decades, he was active as a civic leader in almost every major initiative in Hampton Roads, including bringing Walter P. Chrysler Jr.’s art collection to Norfolk to start the museum, and establishing Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1973. He was involved in preservation efforts and received countless honors from organizations and universities, including the national Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Former Board President Alfred M. “Ran” Randolph Jr. ’80 said that his colleagues at Kaufman & Canoles described Hofheimer as exacting in his standards, generous with his time and money, and a “unifier” who could bring people of diverse perspectives together to accomplish important initiatives. “He had this really great sense of humor that disarmed people and allowed him to be very effective,” Randolph said. “When people talk about him, they speak in reverential tones.” ◆
Q
Esther Diskin is Director of Communications.
The ceremony honoring Henry Clay Hofheimer II (1906–2005) for his selfless service was attended by his three daughters and their families: Clay Barr, a former trustee; Linda Kaufman; and Elise Wright.
SHOUT-OUT FOR LOWER SCHOOL FORENSICS
Program Fosters Public Speaking Panache
One of Norfolk Academy’s impressive teams never practices on an athletic field or court. The team’s entire competitive season lasts one afternoon, without the hoopla of sporting events.
Yet the team boasts a full trophy case. More important, the coaches work hard over several months to develop and strengthen young students.
Norfolk Academy’s Lower School Forensics Team finished in second place overall at the 2024 Robert S. Sergeant Independent School regional competition. NA earned four first-place awards, two seconds, and two thirds.
That continued a long run of success under the leadership of program director Susan Duquette and dedicated teacher-coaches who help in a variety of categories: story telling, poetry, prose, and oratory/ speech.
Those awards make for good, lasting memories. But of greater value, students learn speaking skills and how to comport themselves in front of an audience, both of which will help them as they grow.
“We’re getting them to feel as comfortable and knowledgeable as they can,” said Duquette, who retired in June after 37 years as a teacher-coach in the Lower School.
Riya ’30 participated in Forensics her last three Lower School years. This spring, she earned a silver medal in original oratory.
Forensics season starts in December and ends in April; practices are typically a few days each week after school in Cooper Library. Riya enjoyed working with her teacher-coaches, gaining confidence writing and speaking. She had fun preparing her words, speaking, analyzing strengths and weaknesses, revising, and going through that process over and over until her presentation was just right.
Riya gained confidence through Forensics. She was excited to win a medal. But as important to her was the warm environment students walked into each time they came together.
“Even if you don’t win you have a team backing you up,” Riya said. “They have all become your friends.”
Carter ’30 spent three years in Forensics. Duquette lauded his improvement, saying she could see him becoming more confident and speaking with greater poise.
A desire to improve his public speaking was one reason Carter joined the team in 4th grade, he said. “I wanted to challenge myself.” Over the years, he noticed his own progress toward his goal, as he benefited from feedback from teacher-coaches. He also made friends, and he enjoyed encouraging his teammates and getting support from them.
The competition for private schools across Hampton Roads is named after Robert Sergeant, a beloved Lower School teacher who initiated the Forensics program at NA almost four decades ago. He started the regional competition soon after and ran it for several years. After he passed away because of illness, the competition was named in his honor.
Duquette began helping with the team early in her NA career and became program director a few years later. Interest in the team steadily increased during her tenure, so she brought on more teachers to help and expanded the season, giving students more time to find the right category and develop their skills.
Leading the oratory category, which requires students to write an original speech and deliver it in a riveting style, Duquette enjoyed helping students find a match between their personalities and their words. She also coached them to effectively use gestures and maintain poise.
And she enjoyed helping everyone gel into a unified group.
“They come to learn that even though there are individual medals, we are a team,” Duquette said. “It creates a unique atmosphere.” ◆
Mike Connors is the Digital News and Social Media Specialist.
FIELD DAY, MAY 4, 2024
OPENING RECEPTION AND ART SHOW, APRIL 27, 2024
AUSTIN, TEXAS, ALUMNI RECEPTION, JANUARY 23, 2024
NEW YORK CITY, ALUMNI RECEPTION, FEBRUARY 7, 2024
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ALUMNI RECEPTION, MARCH 20, 2024
CORNERSTONE SOCIETY RECEPTION, APRIL 11, 2024
NORFOLK ACADEMY
L. LINDSAY JR. SOCCER COMPLEX DEDICATION, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
Soccer Complex Dedication
Norfolk Academy’s Homecoming Chapel 2024 marked a historic occasion with the dedication ceremony for the Harvey L. Lindsay Jr. Soccer Complex. Head of School Travis Larrabee expressed the school’s gratitude to Mr. Lindsay’s daughter, Franny Beasley, and her husband, Bobby Beasley ’70, whose generosity made the state-of-the-art complex a reality. Board of Trustees
Chair John O. Wynne Jr. ’94 spoke about Harvey Lindsay, whose extraordinary life and contributions to the region and state are “the embodiment of the very traits and habits that we seek to instill in our graduates.” Both boys and girls varsity soccer teams participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and presented the Beasleys with signed soccer balls. The soccer complex “represents my Dad’s spirit, his love for sports, and his joy for helping people,” Franny Beasley said. ◆
HARVEY
HOMECOMING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
HOMECOMING AND CLASS REUNIONS,
SEPTEMBER 27–28, 2024
CLASS OF 1959 • 65TH REUNION
CLASS OF 1974 • 50TH REUNION
CLASS OF 2014 • 10TH REUNION
CLASS OF 2014 • 10TH REUNION
CLASS OF 2004 • 20TH REUNION
NORFOLK ACADEMY
1952
▸ THE GARNETT (GARNETTWINDSORS@AOL.COM)
1953
▸ (CLASSNOTES@NORFOLKACADEMY.ORG) 1954
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▸ MARK FLAHERTY (MOFLAHERTY1@COX.NET)
▸ ERIC HAUSER (ERICAHAUSER63@GMAIL.COM) 1967
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1968
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1973
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1974
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1975
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1976
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1977
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1978
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1979
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1981
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1983
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1984
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1988
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1989
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1991
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1993
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1995
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1996
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1997
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1998
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2002
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2003
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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2012
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2024
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in memoriam
Mr. Charles H. Forbes III ’53
Mr. William L. Messmer Jr. ’60
Dr. Albert K. Harris Jr. ’61
Mr. Cyrus W. Grandy V ’64
Mr. Richard R. Walker ’66
Mr. Robert Lee Hunter III ’70
Mr. G. Randall Bonney Jr. ’72
Mr. H. Webster Brown III ’84 former faculty/staff
John A. Fahey
Glenda Holcomb
Linda Mixner
