Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) announced that over 200 middle and high school students participated in the “I Am Enough Girls’ Empowerment Event” on September 27 at Denbigh Community Center.
According to NNPS, the Youth Development Bloom and Flourish programs for middle and high school girls commenced their annual activities with a full-day event. This event featured motivational sessions, a cheer clinic, dance and painting activities, lunch, and mini-workshops covering topics such as body image, positive identity, healthy relationships, and overall health and wellness. The sessions aimed to promote social, emotional, and physical well-being to prepare students for life success.
Some sessions were led by participants in Changemakers, a Youth Development initiative connecting local female leaders with experiential learning opportunities for students. Notable figures included Angela F. Reason, clerk of Newport News Circuit Court; Dr. Iris Goode, assistant professor at Hampton University and director of the Goode Dance Project; and Kimtrese Slaughter, CEO of Hummingbird Counseling Services for Women. According to NNPS, Youth Development will also host its 6th Annual More Than a Princess Conference on November 7-8 at Woodside High School, with registration opening this week.
“The purpose of the event was to encourage the participants to embrace and internalize the tenets of the Bloom/Flourish creed,” said Bridget Adams, director of Youth Development. “Mindset is everything. Our hope is that they left the event focused and inspired to be their best selves moving forward.”
NNPS serves approximately 26,000 students across 40 schools, including early childhood centers, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and combination schools. Over 1,500 students speak a language other than English within the district. NNPS employs roughly 3,900 teachers, administrators, and support staff with a focus on preparing all students to graduate college-, career-, and citizen-ready. The district provides early learning programs along with advanced science labs and educational technology to support student and teacher success. Governed by a seven-member elected School Board with Dr. Michele Mitchell serving as superintendent, board meetings are public events that include structured opportunities for citizen input.
