Skip to main content

A Great Day For Norcom!

This morning I attended a program at my old high school dedicated to unveiling a historical marker at our school. Israel Charles Norcom High School has been a part of Portsmouth's black community since the 1900s, and the legacy that goes along with the name has continued on in our lovely city for more than 100 years. Today, Norcom students, administration, alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered together with a few local and state leaders to recognize the contribution that I. C. Norcom has made to the Portsmouth community. Congressman Bobby Scott was there and spoke, so was the city Superintendent and the Mayor. I got to catch up with an old teacher of mine, Mr Miles Bond. and it was great being back in a place with so many great memories and such a great history attached to it. I've missed seeing so many smiling brown faces every day. Norcom truly has a place in my heart and I hope and pray that the institution continues to have such a positive and profound affect on our city, state and nation for many decades to come.



For those of you who can't read the picture, I've included the text of the marker below:

Israel Charles Norcom High School
I.C. Norcom (1856-1916) was an African American educator and administrator who served Portsmouth schools for more than 30 years. The first school to bear his name opened in 1920 three quarters of a mile southeast of here. Principal William E. Riddick and vice principal Lavinia M. Weaver led it for decades. The school moved into a new building nearby in 1937 and again relocated to a new facility, about a mile southwest of here, in 1953. The school’s academic, athletic, and cultural programs were central to the community. Students conducted sit-ins to desegregate Portsmouth lunch counters in 1960, and alumni became local, state, and national leaders. Norcom High School moved here in 1998.
Sponsor: African American Historical Society of Portsmouth

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Things I'm Proud Of...

My bro suggested this writing prompt to me last night, so let me give it a try. I'm proud of the fact that I graduated from college. It was a struggle and I really didn't have anyone to go before me to set the stage, but though it all I stuck to it and accomplished my goal. My degree proudly hangs in my aunt's house and I have a copy in my room to remind me of what I've done. It was one of my proudest moments even though I didn't get to attend my own graduation (another story). I'm proud of how I'm dealing with my mental issues. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder years ago and it's been a struggle to cope with the ways my emotions and my mood changes. For the past year or two I've done well though. It's not an easy fight but I'm committed to beating this thing and not allowing it to ruin my life or my relationships. I'm proud of myself for starting a fledgling business. It's only a resume writing business but it's somethi...
Post a Comment
Read more

I Miss

I miss falling asleep with his locs in my face And my hand rubbing across his belly I miss white seedless grapes, and Welch's Fruit Snacks And my favorite, peanut butter and jelly I miss all my music, Jill Scott and Badu Tupac, Outkast and Queen Bey I miss having windows, seeing the trees For real I must miss being free I miss Uncle Wendell, may he rest in peace I miss my girlfriends and my crew I miss Aunt Bert's breakfast, bacon, eggs and toast I miss looking up and seeing the sky is blue I miss all my clothes, my closet and my room I miss all my books and my art I miss seeing frames with pics of my family Even though they are etched in my heart I miss being able to walk to the store Or to the field to watch the boys and girls play I miss all the familiar slang and speech Like "jamk", "lightning bugs" and "Out the way" I miss everything and almost everyone My dreams remind me of it every night But soon enoug...
Post a Comment
Read more

Still me. Fuck you.

Post a Comment
Read more