Saints Superpower: Convocation Inspires School Community to Lead with Character

As we celebrated the start to another school year, Head of School Mike Barclay challenged students to embrace their inner superhero and lead with their Saints Values during our Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, August 29.

The annual event kicked off with music from the NSA Band and a procession of our kindergarten students and their senior "buddies" through the Thomas W. Johnson Gymnasium in the Beazley Center at the Main Campus. The tradition, which symbolizes the beginning and end of a Saint's educational journey and strengthens the bond between our Upper School and Lower School students, is one of the highlights of Convocation.

Following the procession, Mr. Barclay warmly welcomed students, faculty, staff and special guests before he introduced Middle School Student Council representative Kellan Shearin '29, who led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, the Upper School Chorus performed the Alma Mater.

Student Council President Katherine Conrod '25 followed, with a speech to welcome students to a new academic year. Katherine reflected on her 15 years as a Saint and explained that the NSA experience is bigger than the sum of all the memories you create. What truly makes NSA special are the classmates, faculty, staff and coaches, who are all a part of your big moments and cheer you on throughout your journey.

“One of my favorite things about NSA is the community you have the opportunity to create,” said Katherine. “Each day, I walk through the halls, and I know the name of almost everyone I pass. NSA is not only a gift in the education it provides, but almost more so in the community that inhabits it. I am so proud to call it my home.”

After Katherine’s remarks, the NSA community honored two former faculty members who spent a combined 65 years engaging, inspiring and empowering students and student-athletes. Lower School physical education teacher and cross country and track coach Terry Crigger and Middle School counselor Tracy Grady, who both recently retired from their full-time positions, received banners in recognition of their decades of service to NSA. Those banners will hang in the Thomas W. Johnson Gymnasium in the Beazley Center at the Main Campus, alongside banners of fellow faculty and staff who retired with 25 or more years of service to NSA.

Mr. Crigger first became a part of the NSA family in 1976. During his time as a Saint, he contributed greatly to the school’s physical education and athletic programs. He established the Cross Country and Track Program in 1978 and served as the Varsity Football coach for many years, leading the program to several championships, including the VAAC Eastern Division Championship in 1977, the VAAC State Championship in 1978, TCIS Championships in 1980, 1981, 1982, 2002 and 2003 and the VISAA Division II State Championship in 2000. “When I returned to NSA in 2008 as the dean of students and a physical education teacher, I was lucky to work beside Terry,” said Head of Upper School Kim Aston '88. She then shared that the students appreciated his sense of humor and memorable one-liners so much that they created a Facebook page dedicated to celebrating his unique “Criggerisms.” Mr. Crigger left a lasting impression on countless students and student-athletes alike, including Student Council President Katherine Conrod ’25, who acknowledged and thanked Mr. Crigger for the lifelong lessons that she learned throughout the five years she was a member of the Cross Country Team. Mr. Crigger’s former student and family friend, Aubrey Council '25, retired his banner.

Mrs. Grady spent 28 years at NSA. During her career, she served as counselor in the Upper and Middle Schools, guiding students through their formative years. With her compassion, she helped students navigate their adolescence and inspired them to follow their dreams while being the best versions of themselves. “Mrs. Grady’s passion for helping students navigate their paths has left an indelible mark on our school and her students,” said Head of Middle School Michelle Horton '89. “She is one of those people who makes others better by her presence. Going forward, we will all surely reflect on the many lessons we all learned from her. May we always pause and consider her famous words of wisdom for self reflection: is it kind, helpful or necessary?” Will Lewis '25 retired Mrs. Grady’s banner.

The ceremony continued with Honor Council Chair Charles Creighton '25 retiring the Class of 2024 banner. As he carried the banner, the NSA Band played “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and our Varsity Cheerleaders and mascot, Bernie, pumped up the crowd. The Class of 2024 banner will remain in the Thomas W. Johnson Gymnasium in the Beazley Center until next fall, when the Class of 2025 banner will replace it.

After the Class of 2024 banner was retired, Mr. Barclay returned to the podium and asked attendees an important question: who is your favorite superhero? It was a question he had posed to students, faculty and staff in the weeks leading up to Convocation, and it became a personality test of sorts. From Superman to Black Panther and Thor to Batman, everyone had their own favorite superhero. However, above and beyond, the most popular superhero among Saints surveyed was Spider-Man. Mr. Barclay told the crowd that this should not be surprising.

“Spider-Man is the perfect NSA superhero,” Mr. Barclay proclaimed. “Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, is a normal teenager until something remarkable happens to him. As NSA Saints, everyone in this room has the power of being a Saint behind your name. This is your amazing superpower. You have the power to engage and be engaged, you have the power to inspire and be inspired and you have the power to empower other people wherever you go because of your experience at NSA.”

Mr. Barclay also noted that, much like Spider-Man, being a Saint means that with great power comes great responsibility.

“Like all superheroes, what you do always matters,” said Mr. Barclay. “You are a Saint – no matter where you go, what you do, or who you are with. Just like Peter can never not be Spider-Man, you can never not be Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints. My big ask of everyone in this room is to take your NSA superpower, and use it to have an incredible 2024-2025 school year! Use your power to engage, inspire and empower everyone around you.”

At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Barclay invited select seniors and their kindergarten buddies on stage to lead the crowd in chanting, “Go Saints!” Cheerleaders deployed confetti poppers, and excitement filled the gym.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Convocation! We can’t wait to experience all the amazing moments that await us this school year!