Jubilant summer graduates turn their tassels
Newport News Public Schools graduates for summer 2025 were presented with their diplomas at a ceremony on August 5 at Heritage High School.
A total of 51 students from the city’s five high schools combined completed their diploma requirements to graduate this summer.
Dr. Terri Best, school board chairman; Dr. Michele Mitchell, superintendent; and Dr. Eleanor Blowe, director of high school leadership, spoke at the ceremony. Principals for each high school distributed diplomas to their proud graduates.
Blowe noted that among the graduates were those who worked full-time jobs, cared for family members, overcame language barriers or dealt with personal loss and financial hardships, all while finding the time to study on lunch breaks, nights and weekends.
Menchville senior Kyla Leggette to serve as School Board student representative for 2025-26
Kyla Leggette, a senior at Menchville High School, will serve as student representative to the Newport News School Board for the 2025-26 school year.
Leggette brings a wealth of leadership and team building skills to the position. Among her numerous activities, she is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Color Guard for Marching Band, Model United Nations and archery team. She is the founder of the Sunflower Children’s Hospital of The Kings’ Daughters Junior Circle and volunteers with several community organizations.
She will serve as co-chair of the Student Advisory Group on Education with Dr. Michele Mitchell, superintendent.
School Board honors Surles-Law for service as Chairman
The Newport News School Board presented Lisa Surles-Law with a resolution of recognition and appreciation in honor of her dedicated service as school board chairman from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
The board recognized Surles-Law with the resolution at its August 19 meeting for steadily guiding the board through challenges; leading the superintendent search and appointment of Dr. Michele Mitchell, superintendent; providing leadership in securing a fully funded operating budget for NNPS; shepherding the school board in breaking ground on the new Huntington Middle School through a partnership with the City of Newport News; and devoting herself to furthering the mission of ensuring that all students graduate college, career and citizen-ready.
