Portsmouth's Norcom misses 'Best High School' award

It continues to amaze me that if certain people don't understand a process, they immediately jump to conclusions conjured up in their own minds because, for them, their thoughts justify their right to be incensed about something they have no knowledge of. The two people who went to the Hoodie awards did not use any of your precious tax dollar to take this trip. They each were provided round trip tickets, beautiful hotel accommodations and tickets to all scheduled events by the national sponsors of the awards. For those who are so terribly concerned about it, sleep well knowing that your dollar was spent on some other worthwhile project of your liking and understanding and not toward sending these two people to Vegas for this event.
Umph, umph, umph.........simply incredible.

Some of you show real ignorance. Travel & accommodations were probably paid for by the radio station or The Steve Harvey Morning Show and its sponsors. The Principal and the Alumni President travelled with Theresa Brown from the radio station. Keep city politics out of something that was extremely positive for both the students and alumni of Norcom. As stated below "Hoodie" has nothing to do with attire it is all about our "neighborhood". Recognition for the great work average citizens do day in and day out.

There was an article last week about them going to the Hoodie in Vegas. And the 15-20 minutes I wasted trying to find out what a Hoodie was, how do you qualify, how do you win, qualifications, etc etc etc lead me to my final conclusion:

Waist of time and tax payers money (did the principle and other person that went pay for it themselves? Probably not).

And if the below that someone posted is correct, all you have to do to nominate someone is register via the net, then get the most votes, then this award means NOTHING other than you succeed in driving the most people to the internet to vote for you.

If you look at the costs and the events, seems more like a big party.

To expand a bit on vagirl's explanation of the "Hoodie Awards", they are awards given exclusively to African American community members and businesses. There are also awards given for "Best Fried Chicken", "Best Hair Salon" and "Best Soul Food". I assume "hoodie" refers to "'hood", short for "neighborhood" rather than the article of clothing with the same name.

I'm still trying to figure out if the taxpayers of Portsmouth paid for Norcom's Principal and Alumni President to attend the ceremony in Vegas.

Compliments of a Google Search:

The Hoodie Awards is a salute and showcase for the stars of the community, aka ‘the Hood’, from coast to coast, who have demonstrated excellence in their given arena, be it churches, schools, neighborhood businesses or eateries.

Here is info on the Hoodie Awards, from the official Web site:

The HOODIE AWARDS is the brainchild of Steve Harvey and television/radio producer Rushion McDonald. The show honors local business establishments, religious and community leaders, churches and high schools for their contributions and excellence within various neighborhoods. This award show, best described as the Oscars with an urban beat features a diverse and ultra talented group of celebrities, actors, athletes, and recording artists presenting non-traditional awards to the stars of the community.

There are twelve categories: Best Church, Best Beauty Salon, Best Community Leader, Best Barbershop, Best High School Teacher, Best Fried Chicken Place, Best Soul Food Place, Best High School, Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, Best Bar-B-Que Place, Best Nail Salon, Best Church Choir.

It seems to have zero to do with academic excellence, from the web:

In case you haven’t heard of it, the Hoodie awards is the award show for the people. Celebrities give out awards to categories from “Best Barbor Shop” to “Best Fried Chicken Spot” to communities nominated. Guests this year included Tichina Arnold, Tank, Musiq, and Mo’Nique…

Form your own conclusion...

This award has nothing to do with wardrobe, nor does it have anything to do with being a so called "hood". This award is presented to schools in urban areas for achievement in their communities. There are a lot of proud, well educated, successful people that still live here in Hampton Roads that walked the halls of IC Norcom. Come on people . . .But yet, what do I see on television . . . . AN ENTIRE HOUR DEVOTED TO WHO CAN EAT THE MOST HOTDOGS !!! Now there's an award to be proud of.

The "Hoodie" awards, in my personal opinion, and for those who don't know, is a special recognition given to outstanding businesses and organizations in the community, usually associated with Black or other ethnic neighborhoods. The term "hood" is a derivative of the word neighborhood, and the word "Hoodie" is the slang term for the award that is presented to the most popular businesses and establishments of pre-selected professsions, that have been chosen by the listeners of the Steve Harvey radio program. In depth, it's a way for Mr. Harvey to recognize and give back to those people in the communities they live and work for the hard work that they do to help make their communities better. I hope that I am on point with this explanation and haven't done Mr. Harvey a big disservice in trying to explain my view. For more info,give the show a listen, visit his website, or email him.

The Hoodie Awards was created by comedian Steve Harvey to recognize businesses, schools, and churches for being the best at what they do. In addition to high schools there were catogories for best church, best barbershop, hair salon, restaurant, and more. Norcom being nominated shows that the people that attend, work, and live in that community are proud of their school.

I wish to retract my previous post and comments toward Douglas. That's what I get for not reading the entire article. That being said, I have to echo, "What's a Hoodie Award"???

Douglas - what do "hoodies" and low-riding pants have to do with this award?? I think it's fantastic that Norcom was one of four schools in the finals - speaks volumes of the school, its principal, its teachers, and above all, its students. Maybe you should attend Norcom so you can improve your grammar (too vs. two).

Its a shame that you all are negatively criticizing this award. Just because you dont know about it doesn't mean that it is not credible. And what does that have to do with baggy pants. Stop the stereo typing.

What is a Hoodie Award? Seriously, never heard of that.

Do your research before you start criticizing.

now that sagging pants are getting more attention. Kids are still wearing their sagging pants, now they're just under long shirts & hoodies. @ least they're covering their butts.

The HOODIE awards? I see lots of young men making their way to Norcom in the mornings as I drive in to work. Their pants are usually two sizes two big and they have to hold them up with one hand. If these guys aren't deserving of HOODIE awards, then I don't know who is!