Floating Dock Designed by Upper School Students Connects NSA with Community Partners

What began as an idea from two Upper School students has now become an outdoor destination for learning, discovery and community connection at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. On Friday, November 7, NSA officially opened Bernie's Landing, which is a floating dock on Horton Pond that will facilitate recreational opportunities and allow students and community members alike to gather and explore the natural surroundings of the Main Campus off Pruden Boulevard.

The vision for Bernie's Landing was first proposed in the fall of 2024. That's when Gavin Angelillo '25 and William-Henry Hoover '26 came up with the idea to build the floating dock for their Upper School internship with the Innovation Lab. After speaking with Head of School Mike Barclay and Upper School counselor Kate Gover, Gavin and William-Henry realized Bernie's Landing could become more than just a space for the Saints community. They got to work designing and building a dock that would be welcoming and accessible for individuals with autism and their families, creating a safe place where Saints and community members could share special moments together.

From developing the plan for Bernie's Landing and coordinating its construction to rallying supporters, Gavin and William-Henry showed incredible leadership and dedication in carrying out this project. Tyler Williamson, CEO of Families of Autism Coming Together (FACT), was also instrumental to its success. His staff lent their expertise to the boys and suggested features that would improve the fishing experience for individuals with autism. Several other partners and donors also made the floating dock possible. Clean Cut Image and Casey Downey prepared the site, which started as an entirely wooded area. American Marine helped with construction, and Ocean's East provided many of the dock supplies. Finally, Susan Perry '87 and Samantha Perry Stallings '06 with Perry Minnow Farm stocked Horton Pond with largemouth bass, bluegill bream, channel catfish and feeder minnows.

Nearly a year after Gavin and William-Henry's first pitch for Bernie's Landing, the Hoover and Angelillo families, along with many of the project's partners, gathered for a ceremony to officially dedicate the space and recognize those who helped bring the idea to life. During the event, Mr. Barclay reflected on the significance of the new dock and the spirit of collaboration behind it.

"We look forward to seeing this space used not only by our students but also by our community partners," said Mr. Barclay. "This is a reminder that the work we do at NSA reaches far beyond our campuses. We're proud to share this space with our FACT family and look forward to many future fishing moments here at Bernie's Landing. NSA is blessed with incredible natural surroundings, and for years we've been committed to using those resources to create more opportunities for learning and connection. Bernie's Landing is more than a dock. It is a symbol of the larger vision we are building together at NSA."

The celebration concluded with the ceremonial first cast at Bernie's Landing by William-Henry and Bernie, NSA's mascot. Gavin, now a freshman at the University of Lynchburg and a member of the baseball team, was unable to attend due to prior commitments, but his enthusiasm for the project was shared by everyone who gathered for the occasion. Attendees also enjoyed fish-themed treats prepared by Upper School science instructor Haley Rector Webb '07, who used a fish-shaped cookie cutter created in NSA's Innovation Lab to make the tasty snacks.

Thank you to Gavin, William-Henry and everyone who made this project possible. Bernie's Landing now stands as a testament to the creativity and community spirit that define NSA. Go Saints!

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, we ask that FACT families and NSA community members follow a few guidelines when using our new floating dock. Guests are required to submit waivers in advance to Head of School Mike Barclay and Director of Security and Operations Larry Wilson via email (mbarclay@nsacademy.org and lwilson@nsacademy.org) and to provide at least 24 hours of business-day notice before their visit. The dock is open for use from sunrise to sunset for the NSA community and FACT families. For any visits occurring during school hours (8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), guests must also check in at the Upper School office to receive a visitor badge. We look forward to welcoming FACT families and NSA community members to this peaceful space.