Hampton Celebrates Educators at First-Ever H.E.F. Fest

 

An evening celebrating the extraordinary educators of Hampton City Schools, with local, live music including guest musicians Hampton City Mayor Donnie Tuck, Vice-Mayor Jimmy Gray, and community leader Mike Petters.

 

Hampton, VA – On Saturday, November 5, 2022, The Hampton Education Foundation (HEF) joins the community in celebrating educators at Hampton City Schools. This year, HEF kicks-off the first ever H.E.F. Fest to showcase that hard work pays off as Hampton City Schools continues as a regional leader in public education with an on-time graduation rate of 97.64% – the highest rate of the 15 schools divisions in the region. 

 

“In March of 2020, along with the rest of the world, our educators experienced an unprecedented change in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. When they decided to become an educator, they couldn’t have anticipated having to reinvent teaching practices. The transition was abrupt and uncharted. And our HCS educators delivered with grace and courage,” said HEF President Ali Afonja.  “H.E.F. Fest is a way to join together as a community to thank them and to raise private support for HEF’s Teacher Grant Program-- grants to help them fund their innovative ideas that enhance student learning.”

 

H.E.F. Fest musical artists include local band Blue Ribbon and Man Fighting Bear, which has Hampton and Chicago ties. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. at the Vanguard, 504 N. King Street at Downtown Hampton with a vendor fair and the bands begin at 8:00 p.m. Many artists have Hampton City Schools ties as alumni, but some special guests artists will be joining the live show including Hampton City Mayor Donnie Tuck, Vice-Mayor Jimmy Gray, and Mike Petters, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Huntington Ingalls Industries.

 

The Hampton Education Foundation drives innovation, encourages creativity, expands student opportunities, and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Hampton City Schools. Nancy LeCuyer Beach, HEF’s executive director, said she is excited because there have also been a record number of teacher grant applications for this academic year. Proceeds from the night’s sponsorships and ticket sales will go directly to fund the Teacher Grant Program.

 

“We have some amazing and talented performers, and we have the grants to empower smart and innovative educators to implement programs that enhance the learning experiences of their students and help them develop the skills needed to be college-, career- and life-ready,” said Beach. “Now we just need to fund these grants!”

 

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Music begins at 8:00 p.m.  For more information or tickets, http://www.hampton.k12.va.us/departments/HEF/HEFfest.html.

The Hampton Education Foundation, founded in 2001, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth succeed and to supporting the Hampton School System. For more information visit www.hamptoneducationfoundation.org or contact Nancy Beach at hef-director@hampton.k12.va.us.