Menchville cuts ribbon on newly-refurbished courtyard
Posted: October 21, 2025
Newport News Public Schools officials joined with community partners who brought to life a complete revitalization of the courtyard area at Menchville High School as they celebrated its opening on October 20.
Ulliman Schutte-Alberici Joint Venture and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., co-donated funding and services for the project, and enlisted numerous partner companies who were contracted to contribute services and materials. The ribbon cutting event served as an occasion to thank them for their generous gift and for all involved to see the new courtyard with its outdoor auditorium, landscaping features, fencing and new furniture for students and staff.
"To everyone who generously contributed their expertise and materials or made a monetary donation-please know that your impact reaches far beyond today's ribbon cutting," said Menchville Principal Jason Hollar. "You have built a place that will inspire learning, creativity, connection and pride for years to come. You have invested in our students-not just those who walk these halls now, but those who will walk them in the future, dreaming of how they too can leave a legacy."
Newport News School Board Vice Chairman Maritsa Alger, NNPS Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell, Hollar, US-A Joint Venture Construction Manager Scott Crowder and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Senior Landscape Architect Ricky Wiatt each delivered remarks and the Menchville Marching Monarchs performed a musical selection.
Joining NNPS leadership, Menchville students and staff, and officials from the various companies who contributed were State Senator Danny Diggs, Delegate Shelly Simonds, Newport News City Council Member Rob Coleman, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew, School Board Member Rebecca Aman and Student Representative to the School Board Kyla Leggette.
"Thank you so much to the USA Joint Venture, VHB, and all of the companies and individuals who donated their time, talents and resources for this project," Mitchell said. "A true partnership made all of this possible and we appreciate all that you have contributed."
She spoke about the formal and informal benefits of the outdoor learning and gathering space, noting that "outdoor learning spaces vastly improve health and learning outcomes, and provide opportunities to people to interact. This goes a long way towards building community connections within the school and improving student experiences."
Crowder detailed the contributions of the numerous donor companies, who will be listed on a plaque in the courtyard, and spoke about the US-A Joint Venture's commitment to giving back to localities where it conducts long-term construction projects. Wiatt spoke of the importance of designing public spaces for use by many people, and shared that two VHB summer interns from Ball State University gained valuable educational experience working on the project.
The versatile courtyard space is expected to be used for a variety of community and school events, as well as for students and staff during their school days and lunch periods.
"This courtyard is not just a physical addition to our campus-it is a gift of opportunity," Hollar said. "It is a place where students will collaborate on projects, teachers will hold outdoor learning experiences, and where our band and chorus might perform under the open sky. It is a space that will host coffeehouses, concerts and conversations-moments that remind us of the heart and pride that define our school community."
