Joseph Frommelt of Virginia Ship Repair and Jacob Young and Trent Garrett of Next Generation Storytellers recognized for VSBA Business Honor Roll

Upon nomination through a Resolution from the Hampton School Board, Joseph Frommelt of Virginia Ship Repair; and Jacob Young and Trent Garrett of Next Generation Storytellers were recognized by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Business Honor Roll.

 

Both recipients received a letter and certificate from VSBA and were recognized by the Hampton School Board at a School Board meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

 

Local businesses - large and small, corporate-owned or family-run - play a key role in supporting our communities and local schools. They have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools.

 

The VSBA Business Honor Roll is a way for local school divisions to recognize these local businesses for their support and to say “thank you” for their vital contributions.

 

Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) has partnered with the Maritime Academy since 2017 and was instrumental in implementing the wall-to-wall Academies model. Their partnership has demonstrated a deep commitment to students interested in the maritime industry. VSRA’s ongoing engagement with the Maritime Academy has helped students build workplace skills, earn industry-recognized certifications and career-specific knowledge, and develop critical knowledge, skills, and credentials that prepare them for high-demand careers in the maritime industry. Member organizations have shown their support annually by participating in signature events such as the rising ninth-grade exploratory event, My Future, My Journey, and the transition event for graduating seniors, Portrait of a Hampton Graduate Senior Conference and Hiring Event. 

Under their leadership as members of the Maritime Advisory Board, students have gained access to over 30 hours of hands-on training annually by industry professionals, toured work sites, and had the opportunity to connect with mentors who helped them navigate entry into the local workforce. Members have worked alongside faculty to create, implement, and annually review an industry-relevant curriculum. They have hosted teacher immersion experiences yearly to ensure the Maritime Academy teacher team knows the industry and the opportunities available for their students.

In the 2022-2023 school year, Next Generation Storytellers (NGS) piloted its unique program with Hampton City Schools. High school students were introduced to various positions in the film industry, such as directing, producing, screenwriting, and more. Four student-written short scripts were selected for production, giving students an opportunity to star in and help produce and direct professional-quality short films and earn a professional IMDB credit. These films debuted at the division’s first Next Generation Storytellers’ Film Festival this past fall.

The second year of work with Next Generation Storytellers began in the fall of 2023. Students had the opportunity to apply for a Screenwriting 101 course, developed as a partnership between NGS and Hampton City Schools, as well as a Movies 101 curriculum.

Next Generation Storytellers helps to provide Hampton students with valuable entertainment industry skills and helps them make connections with industry professionals in a way that might otherwise not be possible. They also help provide support for our students, engage our community, and establish that the Portrait of a Hampton Graduate is a core value in Hampton.

Hampton City Schools is very grateful for these phenomenal partnerships with Virginia Ship Repair and Next Generation Storytellers.