News & Events

Norfolk Academy students got the chance to try solving the world's issues, though they had only one day.

Gretchen '24, Will '24, Carrie '24, Zachary '24, Areen '24, Sarah '24, and Eraj '25 took part in the 2024 Model NATO Challenge, held March 18 at neighboring Virginia Wesleyan University. Only 32 student ambassadors from across the region were selected to participate in the event, which involved international mentors preparing them over the course of a month for the challenge.

NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and the Virginia Arts Festival co-host the annual event, which is part of the preparations for the Norfolk NATO Festival, which ties NATO to the Hampton Roads community. Students are able to display debate and presentation skills while learning more about NATO. Norfolk has served as NATO's North American home for more than 70 years. 

During the challenge, students are ambassadors from each NATO nation and participate in a mock session of NATO's North Atlantic Council, a decision-making body.