Rotary Club honors NNPS Superintendent
Published November 2, 2026
The Rotary Club of Warwick at City Center honored Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell, and Rotary Club Honored Member and Army veteran James Probsdorfer at its fifth annual Flags for Heroes presentation on October 30 at Warwick High School.
"It truly is an honor and I am humbled this morning to be able to be here," Mitchell said. "I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Warwick Rotary Club."
The Rotary Club honors everyday and extraordinary community members each year, and displays an individual flag for each one. Warwick's Chorus Ensemble sang the National Anthem, each honoree made remarks after their flag was presented, and Rotary Club members read a list of those being honored and remembered with sponsored flags.
Warwick's NJROTC students installed the flags along Warwick Boulevard in front of the school where they will fly for two weeks through Election Day and Veterans Day.
"Dr. Michele Mitchell has devoted her career to creating opportunities for children, supporting families and educators, and strengthening communities through public education," Rotary Club member Robin Nelhuebel said as she presented Mitchell's flag.
"As Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools since August of 2023, she has combined compassionate, people-centered leadership with a strong focus on academic excellence, student safety, workforce development and accountability."
Nelhuebel noted NNPS' record 98.06 on-time graduation rate for the Class of 2026 and fourth-largest increase in Virginia Standards of Learning pass rates.
Mitchell said that she accepted the recognition on behalf of the many dedicated individuals who make up NNPS.
"When I learned that I had been selected as one of the honorees, I was genuinely touched," Mitchell said. "To be recognized by a community is just a privilege, to be quite honest. And so as I look around this morning at the flags, I am reminded that heroes come in many forms.
"Some individuals whose contributions are highly visible, while others are quietly making a difference. And so that's what makes this celebration so special, is that you seek out individuals who don't necessarily look to be recognized."
