Children are getting smarter and the ways of learning are becoming more demanding. No longer can you just use a text book to provide a child with a competitive edge in the education world. Phoebus High School has bench marked this level of learning in the Hampton/Newport News region. As the youngest high school in the area, Phoebus was built in 1975. Mr Robert Johnson, located to the far right of our picture, joined as a teacher in 1990 to enhance the Technology program and 5 years ago took over as Principal with a vision to go even further in this department. "I came to upgrade where we are today" Mr Johnson said. With a 72-75% African American population, Phoebus is mainly populated by students of Jones, Sims, and Lindsay Middle schools.
The Technology program here at Phoebus is five star. While being supported by NASA and other engineering programs, Phoebus hands out education not only to its students, but other local high schools as well. Phoebus found a way to work with district laws to allow young men and women from other high schools (Hampton, Kecoughtan and Bethel) to participate in their "Project Lead the Way Program". While being nationally recognized, the skills and determination of this program has allowed Phoebus to compete in the "US First Robotics" year after year.
Phoebus’ JROTC program is not just designed to showcase different branches of the military, but to give high school students discipline and confidence. The program is led by the Marine Core. Commander (Lt Col James Wire) and 1st Sgt (James Knapp) lead the program and mentor the students. Annually, the Phantoms provide drill teams for holiday parades and Color Guards for the events at the Hampton Convention Center. Last year the drill team acquired the Rifle National Championship giving a testament to the work ethics of these young men and women. Phoebus is also home to its own shooting range. Thomas Wheeless, a student of the JROTC program, was featured in "The First Shot" CMP Online Magazine for acquiring the silver medal in the Nations Best Marine and Air Force Shooters competition.
Who would have thought that the next up and coming restaurant would be located in a high school? The Phoebus Phantoms are already leading the way. The Culinary Arts program held at Phoebus id the only one in the Hampton City School district. Students from other schools participating in the program are transported to Phoebus from their home schools for the two hour block of instruction. The Blue Phantom Inn is a restaurant ran by the students of Phoebus High School complete with a full-fledged kitchen, staff, and seating area to accommodate approximately 40 people. On the day LAAHC visited, we were greeted at the door and seated by a delightful host. The students provided a Thanksgiving themed meal which included roast turkey with gravy, apple stuffing, sweet potato casserole, sautéed green beans and a delicious cranberry-orange cheesecake for dessert; all for only $8.50. The Blue Phantom Inn will host and serve another delightful meal in January 2012.
Mr. Danon Middleton came to Phoebus a year ago with the thought that more African Americans students should be involved in the Performing Arts program. Over the years directors would come and go and he wanted to change that. While 75% of Phoebus’ students were African American, 90% of the drama team was white. Danon's first mission was to begin offering plays written and produced by African- Americans in an effort to get these students more involved. It worked! Past auditions for would draw 10-15 students, but the recently performed "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry drew double the participation. For the first time ever, the students performed their production outside of the school at the American Theater, located in downtown Hampton. Average in school attendance range is about 75-100 per show. However, this performance played host to an audience of more than 300. The Performing Arts department has been refreshed with a new and exciting energy and Middleton is looking forward to producing at least one African American production every year.
