The Southampton Spotlight: Sports Review and Preview

The Southampton Spotlight

Southampton County Public Schools

Making Learning

Superintendent's Message

Dear SCPS Athletes, Guardians, Coaches, and Community Members:

The 2022-2023 sports season has been remarkable, as many of our sports teams competed in the State, District, and Regional Championships! Some of our other sports teams were recognized by their league and received honorable mentions. Many of our players triumphed in the classroom, receiving scholarships, awards, and honors for their academic work.

Here at Southampton County Public Schools(SCPS), we have a wide range of sports for students to join. Students can participate in wrestling, cheerleading, football, track, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and more. In this issue, you will read about how our athletes have learned that the road to victory is not linear, but with focus, determination, and support, they can turn their challenges into opportunities. You will also read about the various awards our teams and coaches have received.

Thank you, parents and guardians, for making the 2022-2023 year an outstanding season! Your time and dedication to the SCPS athletic programs are deeply appreciated.Thank you, coaches, for supporting our students in their personal lives, academic careers, and athletics programs. Your continuous devotion to our students is evident. We are grateful to have you at SCPS.

Thank you, athletes, for your hard work and dedication. I am proud of every one of you! Remember never to quit and get up when you fail. You have a community of people who love you and will help you cross the finish line. We are looking forward to another successful season. Go, Big Red!

Building a Strong Foundation,

Gwendolyn Shannon, Ph.D Division Superintendent

LIST OF SPORTS TEAMS AND AWARDS

Captured, Kelsey Jarratt

SCPS VARSITY FOOTBALL

Written By: Wilhelmine “Willow” Bellevue GO BIG RED!

FALL 2022

The Glory Years

Southampton High School’s football coach, Travis Parker, carries the mantle of the school’s glory days on his shoulders. Parker radiates when discussing the Southampton Indian Football Team and their success in the 1970s. As a middle school student, Parker witnessed the phenomenon of the Southampton Indians. Integration was the catalyst to the team’s winning streak, and he watched how the county came together for the love of football. Parker shares with his players every season how two great high school coaches changed Southampton County.

In 1969, Southampton High School (SHS) was an all-white school, and Riverview High School (RHS) was an all-black school. When the two schools merged in 1970, the head coaches from each school, Wayne Cosby from SHS and Larry Logan from RHS, collaborated to form an unbreakable team. According to the Southampton Indians documentary, “We’re Number One,” the Southampton Indians had the longest winning streak for a high school football team in Virginia. Coming off the heels of the civil rights movement, the team was reportedly colorblind. The athletes and coaches ate together, practiced together, and spent time with each other off the field. As the team developed, they became a family. They even gathered for breakfast at restaurants on Monday mornings to discuss previous and upcoming games. The Southampton Indians drew nationwide attention during their seven-year winning streak. During that period, they had 105 wins and only six losses.

The residents of Southampton County were loyal and enthusiastic fans, even following the Southampton Indians to their away games. They filled the bleachers on game nights, chanting, “Go Big Red! We are number one!” The Indian pride also spread throughout the school as the students decorated the hallways with spirited signs proclaiming, “We’re Number One!” “Indian Pride!” and “Go Southampton Indians.” From high school to elementary school, the students gained momentum in believing in themselves and each other.

The 1972–1979 Southampton Indians are still considered legends by those who live in the community. After all, the Southampton Indian jersey is not given easily; many great players, such as Cyrus Lawrence, Virginia Tech’s 1997 Football Hall of Famer, have worn the Southampton Indians uniform. Those on the Southampton Indian Football Team must be willing to work hard, work together, and win.

Parker carries on Cosby’s and Logan’s tradition of pushing his athletes physically, academically, and socially while providing them parental guidance. According to Parker, he trains his athletes for college-level football as early as the tenth grade. Parker’s goals are to attain the District Championship, produce National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) players, and replicate the glory years of the Southampton Indians. When Parker looks at his players, he sees their potential.

This year, Parker and his team have achieved many accomplishments, including but not limited to the following:

• On February 1, five players signed a National Letter of Intent.

• The Southampton Indians won the Tri-Rivers District Championship.

• Coach Travis Parker was recognized as the Tri-Rivers District Coach of the Year.

I sat with Parker and a few of his athletes to discuss their remarkable past school year.

Captured ,from left to right: Wayne Cosby, Coach Travis Parker, and Larry Logan

Bellevue: How long have you been at Southampton County Public Schools?

Coach Parker: Well, I graduated from Southampton High School in 1985. I returned as a teacher in 1996 to teach seventhgrade science at Southampton Middle School. I taught there for 11 years and was also a school counselor for two years. During that time, I coached baseball, basketball, and football. I left the district for nine years and returned after Coach Littleton Parker retired in 2019. I became head coach in 2019.

FALL 2022

Bellevue: Nice! Were you an athlete as well in high school?

Coach Parker: Yes! (chuckling) I wrestled, and I played baseball.

Bellevue: Okay, so tell me, what is special about these four elite athletes?

Coach Parker: Let me start by saying that the whole team is incredible, so it is hard to narrow down to a few elite athletes. Let us start with Jacob Wesson, who is a junior this year [and] a starting outside linebacker this past year. In lay terms,[he] played defense. We call him the “The Tackle.”

Bellevue: So, he must be your secret sauce?

Bellevue: Wesson, how much do you bench? Why do you think you are Coach Parker’s secret sauce?

Wesson: I can bench 255, and I am 5-foot-7. Coach Parker calls me that because I am quick on my feet and small. When our starting outside linebacker got injured, I took his place, and worked hard. I still work hard because I know anyone can take my spot. I had to work to get it, and I had to work to keep it.

Coach Parker: Wesson does not look like a traditional football player, but when a player was injured, and Wesson’s opportunity came to play, he was prepared for it. Wesson does not know how much he has inspired other kids who do not have the physique of a traditional football player to play football or any sport. We have had an increase in students and athletes showing interest in football after seeing what Wesson could do Kids have a new belief in themselves because of Wesson. He is a role model.

Bellevue: So, Wesson, it seems like you have instructed people not to put you in a box. So, though others tried to label you and say, ‘Football players should look like this,’ you prevailed and played football by being you. Awesome Wesson!

Wesson gave a quiet “Yes, Ma’am” and nodded in gratitude.

Coach Parker: Chris Jordan is one of ten players who have played varsity football for four years. Chris has been crucial to our team. He played the center position on offense; in lay terms, he was the guy that was snapping the ball and giving [it] to the quarterback. Chris can also play guard; he went on defense when we needed him. Chris just knew the system. Chris is a leader and an intelligent player. We are going to miss him next year. I will add [that] Chris Jordan could have played at the next level (NCAA), but he chose not to because it is a big commitment, but trust me, he could have played at the next level.

Jordan: I am going to East Carolina University to study Mechanical Engineering.

Bellevue: Congratulations, Chris! That is pretty cool. So, you received scholarships and the opportunity to play at the NCAA level and declined?

Jordan nodded yes.

Bellevue: Can you share with me why? Keep in mind there is no right or wrong answer. It is your life, and you must be at peace with your decisions.

Jordan: Understood. From the age of five, I have never missed a Southampton Indian game. I followed the team everywhere they went, regardless of the weather. I grew up wanting to be like those seniors in that field.

Captured: KaShawn Marrow

Nothing meant more to me than to put on the red and white on a Friday night and play. I made that little five-year-old (pointing to himself), that little kid inside of me, proud. I could not see myself committing to playing college football. I’ve had fun playing football here. I am interested in physics and everything of that nature; I love it.

Bellevue: Makes sense.

Coach Parker: So next, we have KaShawn Marrow. KaShawn played varsity in the ninth grade. He is the strongest lineman that we have coming back. Marrow has learned a lot from Chris Jordan, especially on that offensive line. Marrow will pass Jordan’s leadership qualities to our team next year.

Bellevue: Pretty impressive. So KaShawn,as a ninth grader, were you ever intimated by the older athletes? Also, how tall are you, and how much can you bench?

Marrow: I am six foot, and I can bench 315 When I first got on the field, I was intimated, but I saw everyone on the field wanted to work hard just as much as I did.

Bellevue: What challenges did you face this year? If you could, would you take away those challenges?

Marrow: We have had injuries and other challenges, but I would not take the challenges away. The challenges allowed us to get better and push past our limits. It made us fight on the field. The challenges made us.

Bellevue: Interesting; some people do not embrace difficulties. Some honestly do not recover from challenges, whether injuries, life issues, or mental challenges. However, you say the challenges have improved you and your team?

The players gave a unanimous “yes” and nodded.

Marrow: The mental challenges will push you, but you have to keep pushing forward. Once you are able to push past the mental challenges, you can dream or see what you want to accomplish.

Jordan: The good, the bad, and the challenges made the Tri-Rivers District Championship sweeter. At one crucial district game, we were down two offensive linemen. KaShawn was out sick. We had a guard that had injured his ankle a week prior. We also had two young kids who needed to learn the system better, which was hard That is when, as a leader, I had to be there for those guys.

Bellevue: What did you say to the team? Was it like the movies where you give a big speech in the locker room?

Jordan laughed.

Jordan: Oh wow, it was more about encouraging and helping them not focus on their mistakes. I told them, ‘Whatever you need on this field, I will do it because this game matters more than anything.’

Bellevue: What was the motto that kept you going?

Jordan: ‘Make it mean something to you.’ Throughout the season, before each game, I told the team, ‘Make it mean something to you,’ and they made each game mean something. I know it truly meant something to them, and it was not just that game. I will admit it; there was a time I wanted to give up I had my challenges.

Bellevue: Why did you want to give up?

Jordan: There was a time when I had to hold myself accountable because I was not playing a whole lot. I had to push myself mentally. My coaches and teammates were there for me, but it came [down] to me. I realized I did not have much time and had to make it worth it. I took the bull by the horns and went at it.

Wesson: I had to push myself when our starting linebacker was injured. I wondered if I could do it, but I pushed past that hump. And like Chris said, ‘I made it mean something to me.’

Bellevue: Nice! Chris, how tall are you, and how much can you bench?

Jordan: I am 5-foot-11. I can bench 315, 325—something like that.

Bellevue: Marrow, do you currently have colleges looking at you? Do you want to play at the next level and professionally?

Marrow: Yes, Ma’am. If I can make my dream come true, I would hope to play at the college level and all the way to the NFL (National Football League).

Parker: Marrow has a lot of colleges talking with him.

Bellevue: That is awesome. Congrats! So, what will next season look like?

Parker: In sports, there is a term called "next man up," meaning the game will continue. So, the next man must get in there and finish the job. Marrow has been there and done that. He has had great models like Chris Jordan and the other seniors.

Bellevue: Does this mean that Marrow is going to be the Captain?

The room was silent, and Marrow showed no emotion.

Parker: I have not done my captains yet, and that’s the coach’s decision. As far as what Marrow is doing in the off-season, he is checking those boxes.

Bellevue: Marrow, how does it feel knowing that you can be Captain next year?

Marrow: It would be a good challenge, opportunity, and responsibility. Also, as rising seniors, I and several others can teach the team how to adapt and evolve. Nothing ever comes easy. Our team is a brotherhood, and I love each one of them.

Parker: Our tradition in Southampton County is that we have a great team dating back to the 70s. In the seventies, the Southampton Indians went to eight straight Championship games. We are trying to get back to that. Back then, the farmers would stop farming to watch the players practice. The games were packed because we were just that good. Our team created a good feeling in the community, and we are on our way to doing that.

Jordan: My grandfather played in the old school, Riverview High School. When Riverview and Southampton High School integrated, it made him really happy. My grandfather is 78 years old and has only missed four Southampton Indian games since the schools integrated [in 1970]. He would be the first to tell you that those games were something special. When I had the opportunity to play, I had to do it because I wanted to experience it this past season made me so happy seeing the support we got. When the games were over, people were still there in the stands, and that gave me pride.

Jordan: I want to add something.

Bellevue: Go right ahead!

Jordan: I will miss my team and Coach Parker because they held me accountable when I was slacking as a leader. I am going to cherish Coach Parker’s prayers We said the Lord’s prayer as a team before practice, and sometimes, Coach Parker would pray for me one-on-one. He would even pray with guys that wanted a special prayer too. Those prayers got me through some hard times. I am going to cherish them.

“Yeah,” the others chimed in.

Wesson: One thing that will stick with me is that you can always go to God no matter what you are going through. He will always be there.

Bellevue: Okay, I see faith plays a huge role for your team. All year, everyone has been holding on to Chris’s words, ‘Make it Mean Something.’ What is the motto for next year?

Parker: We have a slogan for next year, “Road to Salem.” Our State Championship game is in Salem, Virginia, and that is where we are going.

Parker’s determination to re-capture the glory days of the Southampton Indians Football team’s winning streak is undeniable, and the team is on its way. The Southampton Indians Football players are destined to do that and more. Go Big Red! We are Number One!

Captured from left to right: Christopher Jordan and Coach Travis Parker

The Girls VarsityVolleyball

Winnning Streak

Written By: Wilhelmine “Willow” Bellevue

DeMone' Brickhouse is as strong and sturdy as her name. Brickhouse is an alumnus of Southampton High School (SHS), where she juggled playing field hockey, softball, and basketball as a student. She then received an athletic and academic scholarship to play softball at Virginia State University. In 2021, Brickhouse came back to Southampton County Public Schools. She is the high school's activity director and a special education teacher. She also coaches Varsity Softball and Junior Varsity Girls Basketball teams.

Most recently, she became the Varsity volleyball coach. What’s most impressive is how Brickhouse led her volleyball team to win the Tri-Rivers District Championship despite not having a background in volleyball.

“Volleyball was not one of three sports I played in high school. I had some knowledge of volleyball, but I had to learn the sport. Whatever I was able to do to get my hands on learning about the sport, I did. I spoke to volleyball players and coaches, attended special volleyball clinics, watched YouTube and TikTok videos, read books and excerpts, and played the sport. I also watched games all year to learn more about volleyball. I did it all. I did anything to help me develop my players,” Brickhouse shared. “I am still learning the game,” she added.

Brickhouse is an avid learner and encourages her athletes to increase their volleyball knowledge while enjoying the game. To further motivate her team, Brickhouse utilizes her network of college coaches and athletes to speak to her players.

“As a high school student, I played sports, and I played the sports I loved. As a senior in high school, I played softball for four different teams and had to balance school, practices, and games. Sports is my therapy, and when I am with my team, at practices or games, I am not on the phone or paying attention to what’s around me; I am paying attention to my girls. I have taught them to focus on me,” Brickhouse said.

Madelyn Brown, senior and team co-captain, talked about the importance of keeping a strong mentality and praised Brickhouse’s leadership.

She said, “Volleyball is definitely a mental game because if you get down on yourself or have a bad attitude, it will take over the court. If one person drops down, then everyone else is down and out. Coach Brickhouse does a really good job at keeping everyone’s attitude in check and keeping us motivated.”

Brown added, “It was a long season; we started at the end of July and finished playing at the end of October. It was difficult because we had to push our bodies to the test, and some of our teammates were getting tired.”

“I told the entire team, ‘It’s now or never. If we have now, let’s do it now. Live today so you don’t have any regrets tomorrow,” Brickhouse continued.

Brickhouse explained how implementing core values such as love and compassion has contributed to her team’s success. She has created a familial environment by cooking dinners for her athletes and emphasizing the importance of ethical values and core virtues.

“Teaching them love, compassion, and care towards each other, the sport, and even towards people whom they don’t like was important,” Brickhouse said. “I also taught them that it is possible to be positive. It’s vital how we look at things, what we choose to say, and when we choose to speak.” -DeMone' Brickhouse

Captured, from left to right: Bailey Distenfield and Coach DeMone' Brickhouse

Brickhouse Bricky Mom Coach

Captured from left to right: DeMone' Brickhouse and Madelyn Brown

“This team has felt more like a family than any of the teams I have been on,” said Brown “We have done a lot of team bonding and ensured everyone was okay and making sure everyone was hanging out. Even if girls had an in-school disagreement, she made sure it was gone before we started practice.”

Senior and co-captain Bailey Distenfield vehemently agreed. “She [Brickhouse] even cooks for us. Bricky Mom! We call her "Bricky Mom” Distenfield sang "Bricky Mom'" and clapped cheerfully. In response, Brickhouse laughed and referred to Distenfield and Brown as her right and left arms.

“Yes, they like to call me Bricky Mom. Some girls would come to see me in between classes or text me. I wanted to instill in the girls that we are a team, on and off the field. Whatever they need, I am here for them.”

Choosing “Bricky Mom’s” greatest strength would be difficult as she seems highly proficient at everything she does She truly makes learning and coaching a new sport look easy. In speaking with Brickhouse, it seems like hard work and fun go hand in hand. Laugh when you can, but work hard when you can.

“You don’t have to be an athlete to be athletic; you just have to do the work,” Brickhouse said.

Any student willing to work hard and learn something new should consider joining the volleyball team.

Captured:DeMone' Brickhouse

The

Tennis Team Triumphs

Written By: Wilhelmine “Willow” Bellevue

Southampton High School’s tennis coach and Spanish teacher, Julie Belter, handed Lily Zimmer her trophy before both posed for the camera. Zimmer had just won the district-wide tennis championship game. She wore gold and cream at the award ceremony, and her accessories flashed as brightly as her smile when she walked across the stage. Zimmer’s permanent smile showed how proud she was of herself.

Belter was also incredibly proud of her As a coach, friend, and maternal figure, Belter pushed her athletes to love the sport and to work hard while playing it. These are the lessons that Zimmer will take back with her when she returns to Germany. Zimmer attended Southampton High School (SHS) during the 2022–2023 academic year as part of a student exchange program. During this time, Zimmer immersed herself in the American culture by making new friends, learning about the students, and playing tennis.

“I have played doubles for about three years with my partner back home [in Germany]. At first, getting used to and playing with someone else was hard. I think my partner, [Madelyn Brown], and I managed to play together pretty well since we won the District Championship as a double,” Zimmer said candidly. The rest of the team laughed in agreement and noted how close of a match the District Championship game was.

“That game was remarkably close. The girls even had to go into a tiebreaker,” said Belter.

“For me, that was the most memorable moment. There was a lot of pressure at the moment, but I like to say that mindset is everything,” said Zimmer. “If you say to yourself, ‘This ball is going to be good, and everything is going to be good,’ then it has to be good So, at the moment, I tried to distract myself from pressure and encourage myself.”

The rest of the team talked about how they most enjoyed team dinners and away games. Belter’s tennis team is more like a sisterhood. The athletes work out together, eat together, and even finish each other’s sentences. The group has embraced Zimmer as one of their own, and though Zimmer will not return to SHS, the athletes will stay in touch. Belter has a simple formula for being a successful coach: balance and fun.

“Balance is necessary because if I am strict all the time, it is not going to be fun for them, and it is not going to be fun for me. They are also teenagers, and teenagers require a special kind of something to collaborate with them, so they need me to be that friend, coach, and parental figure,” Belter said.

More importantly, Belter teaches words cheering them on during determined to give their all in everythi and off the court.

The team finished the season with the following results:

• Regular Season Co-Champions

• Doubles District Tournament Winner

• Singles District Tournament Runner-up

• Team District Tournament Runner-up

• Madelyn Brown, Lily Zimmer, and Harleigh Harcum made All-District Team

Captured from left to right: Lily Zimmer, Rebekah Bury, Coach Julie Belter, Emma Irvine, Savannah Loveall, and Harleigh Harcum

Tips and Resources for Parents

Written By: Wilhelmine “Willow” Bellevue

FALL 2022

Every day we learn something new! It is important that we take time to engage students in teachable moments. Parents and guardians can create everyday educational experiences for their children and teens with practical household projects, routine duties,or by exploring the outdoors. Below is a list of content areas and ways to make learning fun.

Math:

We multiply, divide, subtract, and add daily without noticing it. Math is also fun when it’s hands-on. One way to incorporate math into a fun summer activity is with Do It Yourself (DIY) projects. DIY projects often require calculation. You can find them on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. If you have a specific DIY project in mind, create a Google search to find the project or something similar. Below are a few DIY ideas:

• Renovate or redecorate a bedroom.

• Build furniture like a desk, garden chair, doghouse, and more.

• Create kitchen items such as coasters, vases, and spice containers.

• Use recyclable items such as cans and water bottles to make a unique piece of art.

Have your child calculate the project costs and measure how much space the item would need, the type of materials, and how much would be required. Use mathematical and scientific terms to promote their use of analytical skills further. Below are a couple of math resources:

• Scholastic’s Math Terms and Definitions: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/learning-toolkitblog/math-terms.html

• Khan Academy’s Math Review and Games: https://www.khanacademy.org/math

• Math Worksheets from Education.com: https://www.education.com/resources/math/? mscl-

kid=4464719792d51818ee32150a0d62c563&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search%20%20Edu%20Terms%20-%20BMM&utm_term=math&utm_content=Math

English Language Arts and Science:

English and science go hand in hand as they both require comprehension, interpretation, and language skills. According to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), English skills are essential for fundamental science as students analyze, explain, and rationalize their findings. Also, the more words kids have in their toolbox, the better they can express themselves.

• Cooking and baking: Food brings people together! What better way to bond and learn than by cooking? Have your child read the ingredients, the nutritional label, or research the ingredients needed for your special dish. You can also create a cookbook. You can find relevant science terms at Science Vocabulary - Little Bins for Little Hands. You can look up the definition of the nutritional labels at Food Science Glossary | IFST

• Scientific Experiments: Good Housekeeping lists safe and fun scientific experiments to do at home with your child. You can also Google or conduct a YouTube search for “easy and safe science experiments to do at home.” Regardless of how safe an experiment is, it is still imperative to ensure that an adult is present to assist the child. To add an ELA component, have your child journal about the experiment findings or write fun facts about the experiment.

• Bedtime routines: According to Healthline, reading before going to sleep can increase one’s sleep quality, sleep duration, and mood. Make sure to take a hand-held book instead of a digital book. The blue light from any electronic device like a tablet, a phone, or a computer can keep you up at night and contribute to poor sleep.

FALL 2022

For struggling readers, have your child pick out a book for you both to read together. Make bedtime reading a joint effort by taking turns to read one page or paragraph at a time. For advanced readers, please have your child pick out a book that is one grade level above what they can read. Read one page or a paragraph and have your child do the same.

Physical Education (PE):

Physical education should continue after high school. We should all be aware of our bodies and their needs. One thing our bodies need is movement. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 30 minutes five days a week or 150 minutes a week of physical activity, which may include moderate or intense movements. Pick an activity you and your child will commit to throughout the year. It does not have to be intense, but it does have to be fun. Pay attention to the parts of your body that you are working out while completing the activity and talk about it. You can also track your activity by downloading a free app (application) on your phone. Below are a few suggestions:

Some exercise is better than no exercise. If you can’t engage in physical activity five days a week, start with three days a week. Increasing movement can also help manage pain and health problems, decrease stress, improve mental well-being and moods, boost energy, and promote better sleep. With these helpful tips, you can help your child continue their education year-round —all while having fun.

Additional Resources

Fun, Free, and Inexpensive Activities

• Children’s Museum of Virginia

• Chrysler Museum

• Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum

• Virginia Museum of the Arts

• Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Educational Websites

• http://www.crayola.com/free-coloringpages

• http://www.readingrockets.org/

• http://www.starfall.com/

• https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/science -terms/

• http://www.sesamestreet.org/

1. Gardening

2. Walking

3. Swimming

4. Running

5. Hiking

6. Caring for the lawn

7. Biking

8. Dancing

GO BIG RED! Southampton High School Sports Teams

Wrestling Captured: Coach Darnell Lee

Captured from left to right: Kamryn Cook, Kameile Carrington, Shaimeer Shearin, and Katelin Dawson

Captured: Coach Tim Mason

Girls Volleyball

Varsity

Boys Cross Country

Girls Cross Country

Captured from left to right: Gabriella Outlaw Nic’kylah Young and Kayla Golden

Captured below, Kelsey Jarratt

Varsity Baseball

All District, Region, and State Honors

Spring 2023

Girls Softball

Boys Soccer

Track

Girls Tennis

Boys Soccer

Captured from left to right: Brayden Pittman receiving an award from Tennis Coach, Jayson Williams

Captured from left to right: Lily

and Coach Julie Belter

Written By: Wilhelmine “Willow” Bellevue

It’s the start of a new school year, and the Southampton County Public Schools (SCPS) athletes are gearing up for another successful season. Thus far, the SCPS Football team, The Southampton Indians, has had two scrimmages and one football game, and according to the Head Coach, Travis Parker, the scrimmages and the game allowed the athletes to better prepare for the season. Though the football team lost in their first game, 56 to 7, Parker shared how his team tends to pick up momentum after a loss.

“Last year, we lost to Poquoson, 28 to 0; however, by the end of the season, we were 8 - 1. Our records show we know how to rebound from a loss," Parker stated.

The Athletic Director, Tim Mason, has worked at SPCS for 34 years and enjoys the school community. Mason is aware that juggling academics and athletics can be challenging for students; however, he shared that it is possible to be elite across the board.

“We want our students to be elite academically,athletically, and socially; they can do it,” Mason shared.

This year, all the sports teams will play in a 2A Region, a significant change for SCPS teams. Being in a 2A Region will enable SCPS athletes to compete against other rural schools instead of competing with larger schools. Regardless of the sport, everyone has The District Championships on their minds.

Go Big Red!

Captured: Jailah Thomas

Captured: Mariah Smith

2023 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Nov 10 Region 3A Quarterfinals

Nov 17 Region 3A Semifinals

Nov 24 or 25 Region 3A Finals

Dec 1 or 2 Division 3 State Semifinals

Dec 9 Division 3 State Championship

2023 JV FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

As of 7/18/2023

2023 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

2023 GOLF SCHEDULE

As of 8/10/2023

2023 CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

Southampton County Public Schools

Mission Statement

Did you know that all district work revolves around our six major Division Goals?

Our six goals are as follows:

1 Expand Learning Opportunities and Increase Student Achievement

Through the combined efforts of the staff, students, families and the community, our mission is to ensure a quality education in a safe environment that will prepare students to be successful learners and productive citizens in an ever-changing society.

Vision Statement

The vision of Southampton County Public Schools is all students will be successful, productive, lifelong learners in an ever-changing world.

3 Expand Our Safe and Healthy School Culture and Climate

2

4 Expand Professional Training and Improved Employee Retention

5 Expand Community and Parental Partnerships

6 Expand Capital Improvement Efforts and Acquire More Fiscal Resources Expand Opportunities to Make School More Equitable for All Students

Building a Strong Foundation

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding the Southampton Spotlight Newsletter, please contact Willow Bellevue via email at wbellevue@southampton.k12.va.us or by phone at 757.650.2016

Southampton.k12.va.us

Facebook.com/scpsdistrictva/

PO Box 96 Courtland, VA 23837