STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Katherine Johnson Elementary School 5th Grader Landon DeCaul
Proudly represents military-connected students
Posted: April 15, 2026
Landon DeCaul contributes in many different ways to his school community at Katherine Johnson Elementary School.
The fifth grader is a student leader known for working hard on his classwork, helping others and maintaining a positive attitude. Outside of school, DeCaul enjoys sports, board and video games, and family activities.
“Overall, he is a star student,” said DeCaul’s teacher, Keionna Ellis. “I would say not just educationally, but also him as a person. He’s very well-rounded and mature for his age.”
DeCaul is one of the military-connected students attending Katherine Johnson, and said he appreciates the creativity that is put into the school’s events.
Throughout April Newport News Public Schools will celebrate the Month of the Military Child, including Purple Up! Day on April 15. Katherine Johnson was recognized with the 2025-2026 Purple Star 2nd Award from the Virginia Department of Education for its commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. military.
“There’s a good amount of them here,” DeCaul said of the number of his classmates whose families are connected to the military, adding that they usually know about one another.
DeCaul is a member of the school safety patrol, which puts him in the hallways at the start and end of the school to help ensure everybody gets safely to where they’re going. He assists teachers and staff by checking for any issues, helping students get to class and reporting any issues that arise.
DeCaul helps other students who may be in need. He tutors a friend in reading and also works with another student.
“He’s not the greatest behavior-wise I would say, but I try to help him calm down sometimes and maybe do his work,” DeCaul said. “I’ve helped him out with math before.
“I try to help out those two people, specifically. And if anybody else needs my help, I help them out, too.”
His advice to students is to stick with the material.
“I try to do it and then I just try to make myself want to do it,” DeCaul said. “Sometimes when we’re reading, I won’t be very interested depending on what the book’s about. And while we’re reading it, I will try to get into it; underline stuff that I thought was cool. After a while, I will usually either like it or accept it.”
DeCaul sets an example of good behavior and concentrating on classwork that helps other students. Writing is his favorite subject.
“Landon is a very motivated student,” Ellis said. “He loves to do his work. He loves to ask questions. He definitely enjoys helping his classmates when he can.
“He participates all the time. He is very kind and helpful throughout the class.”
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