In 1922, the first school building to be called "Norview" was a farmhouse, known as the Harlow house. It’s principal was Miss Mabel Kiracofe with 4 teachers. Miss Kiracofe later became the Principal at Coleman Place Elementary School. In 1924, Norview students and their new principal, H.C. Barnes, moved into a new high school, on the site of what is now Norview Middle School. The first graduating class was in 1925 and consisted of two young ladies who had transferred from Maury High School. In June 1952, the cornerstone was placed for the new Norview High school building located on Middleton Place which opened in 1954 while it was a part of Norfolk County. The City of Norfolk annexed the school and surrounding areas later in the school year. The first class to graduate from this building was the class of 1955. At the time of its construction, this building was the largest high school in the state of Virginia, originally built to house 1400 students. The original cost was $3 million to build and $125,000 to furnish. Since then, other additions were made including a girls' athletic area, guidance complex and 12 mobile classrooms. Air conditioning was added in 1999. Because the school was originally built by Norfolk County, Norview was the only high school in the city of Norfolk to have its own football stadium.
Until the mid-60's, the "home" side of Chittum Field was the side nearest Chesapeake Boulevard. For want of more seating capacity, the bleachers opposite the traditional "home" side were made larger along with a larger press box; thereafter, this larger side became the "home" side. The funds for this construction were raised by a group called the Norview Booster Club. Chittum Field was modified again in 1981. This Norview has seen only three principals: Mr. C.W. "Bolo" Perdue, who used to coach Norview's football team in the late 40's was principal until 1982 and was succeeded by Mr. Claude Sawyer, who was principal until 1992. Mrs. Marjorie Stealey was appointed Principal in 1992 and was the first woman to serve as a high school principal in Norfolk. Mrs. Stealey retired in 2017 and was replaced by Walter Brower, Jr. who had served as Principal at Norview Middle School.
At a cost of $31.7 million to build and $4.7 million to furnish, the new Norview is open to students. At approximately 288,000 square feet, it is twice the size of the building it replaced and is designed for 1800 students. The groundbreaking took place in June 2002 in the middle of the football field where the construction process started. This new, high tech building opened in 2004 and the demolition of the old school was begun. The deterioration of the main support structure, which was wood and not steel was the primary reason the old building could no longer be used. The new facility was completed in 2004, including a new stadium adjacent to Sewell's Point Road and the student parking lot was placed where the old building stood. Norfolk Schools used a new method of construction management. The principal, teachers, parents, and students served on an advisory board. The net result was the school was completed well under the budget of $36.4 million, savings some $5+ million. It is a national model and State-of-the-Art school.
Our school mascot, the "Pilot" biplane, has an interesting origin. One of the early principals enjoyed amateur flying and often practiced in at Glenrock Airfield, now JANAF Shopping Center. JANAF is mnemonic Joint Army Navy Air Field. Norview "Pilots" became the accepted mascot and the most unique; as it is unlikely that there is any other school whose mascot is the "Pilots".
Norview High School received many awards during Dr. Stealey’s tenure including the following: Blue Ribbon and Drug Free School Awards, U.S. Department of Education; Model High School Award, International Center for Leadership in Education; National Breakthrough School Award, National Association of Secondary Schools; Dispelling the Myth Award, Educational Trust Foundation; National Change Award, Fordham University; Silver and Bronze Awards, U.S. News and World Report, and national ranking by The Washington Post.Dr. Stealey graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in English Education. She earned her M.S. in Educational Administration from Old Dominion University and her Ph. D. from Virginia Tech. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the effectiveness of the teacher training program of Capturing Kids Hearts. Dr. Stealey serves as a board member of The College Board, representing Virginia and also serves as a board member for the regional Chesapeake Bay Alcohol Safety Action Program.
Dr. Stealey won numerous awards including: National Principal of the Year Finalist, National Association of Secondary School Principals; Virginia Principal of the Year, Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals; and Outstanding Administrator of the Year, Norfolk Public Schools.
Until the mid-60's, the "home" side of Chittum Field was the side nearest Chesapeake Boulevard. For want of more seating capacity, the bleachers opposite the traditional "home" side were made larger along with a larger press box; thereafter, this larger side became the "home" side. The funds for this construction were raised by a group called the Norview Booster Club. Chittum Field was modified again in 1981. This Norview has seen only three principals: Mr. C.W. "Bolo" Perdue, who used to coach Norview's football team in the late 40's was principal until 1982 and was succeeded by Mr. Claude Sawyer, who was principal until 1992. Mrs. Marjorie Stealey was appointed Principal in 1992 and was the first woman to serve as a high school principal in Norfolk. Mrs. Stealey retired in 2017 and was replaced by Walter Brower, Jr. who had served as Principal at Norview Middle School.
At a cost of $31.7 million to build and $4.7 million to furnish, the new Norview is open to students. At approximately 288,000 square feet, it is twice the size of the building it replaced and is designed for 1800 students. The groundbreaking took place in June 2002 in the middle of the football field where the construction process started. This new, high tech building opened in 2004 and the demolition of the old school was begun. The deterioration of the main support structure, which was wood and not steel was the primary reason the old building could no longer be used. The new facility was completed in 2004, including a new stadium adjacent to Sewell's Point Road and the student parking lot was placed where the old building stood. Norfolk Schools used a new method of construction management. The principal, teachers, parents, and students served on an advisory board. The net result was the school was completed well under the budget of $36.4 million, savings some $5+ million. It is a national model and State-of-the-Art school.
Our school mascot, the "Pilot" biplane, has an interesting origin. One of the early principals enjoyed amateur flying and often practiced in at Glenrock Airfield, now JANAF Shopping Center. JANAF is mnemonic Joint Army Navy Air Field. Norview "Pilots" became the accepted mascot and the most unique; as it is unlikely that there is any other school whose mascot is the "Pilots".
Norview High School received many awards during Dr. Stealey’s tenure including the following: Blue Ribbon and Drug Free School Awards, U.S. Department of Education; Model High School Award, International Center for Leadership in Education; National Breakthrough School Award, National Association of Secondary Schools; Dispelling the Myth Award, Educational Trust Foundation; National Change Award, Fordham University; Silver and Bronze Awards, U.S. News and World Report, and national ranking by The Washington Post.Dr. Stealey graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in English Education. She earned her M.S. in Educational Administration from Old Dominion University and her Ph. D. from Virginia Tech. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the effectiveness of the teacher training program of Capturing Kids Hearts. Dr. Stealey serves as a board member of The College Board, representing Virginia and also serves as a board member for the regional Chesapeake Bay Alcohol Safety Action Program.
Dr. Stealey won numerous awards including: National Principal of the Year Finalist, National Association of Secondary School Principals; Virginia Principal of the Year, Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals; and Outstanding Administrator of the Year, Norfolk Public Schools.
The above was constructed in 2004 and Mrs. Stealey retired and was replaced by Walter Brower, Jr. in 2017.
History of the Alumni Association
After several earlier planning meetings were held, the Norview High School Alumni and Friends Association was formed on May 18, 1998. The following board members were elected at that time: Bruce Zanke ’78, President, Bill Seib ’68, Vice President, Pat Guerra MacKenzie ’73, Treasurer, and Carolyn Walker Anderson ’70 and Kathy Carawan ’73, Co-Secretary/Recorder. Vicky Speece, Student Resource Coordinator for NHS opened the meeting. Also present were William Howard Sewell ’46, Margaret Harper Sewell ’52, Bill Lloyd ’72, Margaret Hoots, Friend (and mother of five NHS grads.), Ken Baker ’67, Monquez Hunter ’92, Sue Payne West ’68, Rick West ’66, Coretta Jordan ’95, Mary Sauls Bagley ’76, Sue Hoppel ’52, and Joan Ewell Brooks ’62. This meeting was held in the NHS library. Bob Polk was recognized for being the first $100.00 donor to the Association.
Carlton Bennett ’68 prepared and filed the Association’s Articles of Incorporation with the State Corporation Commission in July, 1998 and the Association’s Logo was adopted at the July 18, 1998 meeting held at Pizza Chef on Bayview Blvd. The Class of 1968 donated $1,000.00 to the Association’s endowment fund at the August 18th meeting held at Shoney’s on Little Creek Road and challenged other classes to make similar donations.
At the October 14, 1998 meeting the Association was informed of an upcoming public budget hearing for Norfolk Public Schools to look at renovating or replacing NHS. Even though the Alumni members were strongly in favor of renovation, the structural condition of the building made replacement the only viable option and the new building opened in the fall of 2004.
The Association presented their first scholarships ($250.00 each) to Shannon Drew and Bryan Heckstall at a banquet held on June 11, 1999 at Shoney’s on Little Creek Road. The Association was well represented as the last two basketball games were played on the old gym floor on February 6, 2004. Wilson’ girls defeated Norview, but the NHS boys prevailed in the final game over Wilson. Bobby Redfern ’55 who played in the first game held in the gym spoke to the audience between the two games. On April 3, 2004 NHS held an Open House with the Alumni Association setting up tables in the cafeteria for all classes. Former students of NHS from 1942 through current students attended this event. Lunch was served in the cafeteria with the famous NHS yeast rolls being the big hit.
On May 22, 2004 the Alumni Association held a Last Harrah Prom in the gym. This was the last event held at the old school. The temperature reached 93 that day and as you know, the gym was not air-conditioned. The event was attended by 150 alumni and over $3,000.00 was raised and given to NHS to be used for scholarships. Our first year in existence the NHS Alumni and Friends Association gave two scholarships in the amount of $250.00 to two deserving NHS seniors and we have continued to give two or three scholarships each year. Each year the new recipient's names are added to a plaque that hangs in the school counselor's office. Each year in June a Scholarship Banquet is held to introduce the scholarship recipients to the Association members. The Alumni Association treats the recipients and their parents or guardians to their dinners. Here are the names of the recipients of the Alumni Scholarships over the years. In 2015 we were able to give two $1,000.00 scholarships for the first time and in 2021 increased the amount to $1,500.00. In 2024 we gave three $3,000.00 scholarships and one scholarship in memory of our 20 plus year President, Frank Ziegenfuss in the amount of $5,000.00. 2024 marks 26 years we have given scholarships to deserving Norview Seniors. Counting this year’s recipients, we have given scholarships to 64 seniors for a total of $68,950.00 in scholarships and several thousand more in support of Norview and its students.
No monies are ever paid to any member or officers of the Association except to reimburse for monies spent for the Association. All funds received are used for Scholarships and gifts to the school, for mailings, our annual Scholarship Banquet, and for this Web site. Half of all contributions are placed in our Endowment Fund unless otherwise stated. This Endowment Fund is for the guarantee of our future. Should the Association ever dissolve, all existing funds will be turned over to Norview High School to be used as needed.
After several earlier planning meetings were held, the Norview High School Alumni and Friends Association was formed on May 18, 1998. The following board members were elected at that time: Bruce Zanke ’78, President, Bill Seib ’68, Vice President, Pat Guerra MacKenzie ’73, Treasurer, and Carolyn Walker Anderson ’70 and Kathy Carawan ’73, Co-Secretary/Recorder. Vicky Speece, Student Resource Coordinator for NHS opened the meeting. Also present were William Howard Sewell ’46, Margaret Harper Sewell ’52, Bill Lloyd ’72, Margaret Hoots, Friend (and mother of five NHS grads.), Ken Baker ’67, Monquez Hunter ’92, Sue Payne West ’68, Rick West ’66, Coretta Jordan ’95, Mary Sauls Bagley ’76, Sue Hoppel ’52, and Joan Ewell Brooks ’62. This meeting was held in the NHS library. Bob Polk was recognized for being the first $100.00 donor to the Association.
Carlton Bennett ’68 prepared and filed the Association’s Articles of Incorporation with the State Corporation Commission in July, 1998 and the Association’s Logo was adopted at the July 18, 1998 meeting held at Pizza Chef on Bayview Blvd. The Class of 1968 donated $1,000.00 to the Association’s endowment fund at the August 18th meeting held at Shoney’s on Little Creek Road and challenged other classes to make similar donations.
At the October 14, 1998 meeting the Association was informed of an upcoming public budget hearing for Norfolk Public Schools to look at renovating or replacing NHS. Even though the Alumni members were strongly in favor of renovation, the structural condition of the building made replacement the only viable option and the new building opened in the fall of 2004.
The Association presented their first scholarships ($250.00 each) to Shannon Drew and Bryan Heckstall at a banquet held on June 11, 1999 at Shoney’s on Little Creek Road. The Association was well represented as the last two basketball games were played on the old gym floor on February 6, 2004. Wilson’ girls defeated Norview, but the NHS boys prevailed in the final game over Wilson. Bobby Redfern ’55 who played in the first game held in the gym spoke to the audience between the two games. On April 3, 2004 NHS held an Open House with the Alumni Association setting up tables in the cafeteria for all classes. Former students of NHS from 1942 through current students attended this event. Lunch was served in the cafeteria with the famous NHS yeast rolls being the big hit.
On May 22, 2004 the Alumni Association held a Last Harrah Prom in the gym. This was the last event held at the old school. The temperature reached 93 that day and as you know, the gym was not air-conditioned. The event was attended by 150 alumni and over $3,000.00 was raised and given to NHS to be used for scholarships. Our first year in existence the NHS Alumni and Friends Association gave two scholarships in the amount of $250.00 to two deserving NHS seniors and we have continued to give two or three scholarships each year. Each year the new recipient's names are added to a plaque that hangs in the school counselor's office. Each year in June a Scholarship Banquet is held to introduce the scholarship recipients to the Association members. The Alumni Association treats the recipients and their parents or guardians to their dinners. Here are the names of the recipients of the Alumni Scholarships over the years. In 2015 we were able to give two $1,000.00 scholarships for the first time and in 2021 increased the amount to $1,500.00. In 2024 we gave three $3,000.00 scholarships and one scholarship in memory of our 20 plus year President, Frank Ziegenfuss in the amount of $5,000.00. 2024 marks 26 years we have given scholarships to deserving Norview Seniors. Counting this year’s recipients, we have given scholarships to 64 seniors for a total of $68,950.00 in scholarships and several thousand more in support of Norview and its students.
No monies are ever paid to any member or officers of the Association except to reimburse for monies spent for the Association. All funds received are used for Scholarships and gifts to the school, for mailings, our annual Scholarship Banquet, and for this Web site. Half of all contributions are placed in our Endowment Fund unless otherwise stated. This Endowment Fund is for the guarantee of our future. Should the Association ever dissolve, all existing funds will be turned over to Norview High School to be used as needed.