Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast
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Amplified: The Chesapeake Public Schools Podcast
Hall Pass to History: Indian River High
Indian River High School Junior, Adrian Langaster, opens the door. What follows is a vivid journey through Indian River High School’s heartbeat, where legacy, leadership, and everyday acts of care turn a campus into a family. We sit down with Principal Naomi Dunbar and former Principal James L. Fry to explore how continuity shapes culture, why the RISE motto matters, and what it takes to hire teachers who lead with both warmth and rigor.
You’ll hear how Indian River evolved to lively, student-centered classrooms supported by technology and strong relationships. We talk about the modernization that refreshed the building, the murals that gave white walls a voice, and the security upgrades that protect learning. Along the way, we revisit traditions that fuse spirit with belonging: superclass competitions, pep rallies, homecoming parades, and a stadium that now bears the name of a beloved principal.
The stories that linger most are about people. A custodian lifted by students and staff after a house fire. Seniors meeting early with counselors to map a path to graduation. A former principal who still attends games from a reserved end zone spot. Families who choose Indian River for their own kids because the culture delivers both care and results. Across decades, only a handful of principals have led the school, proof that steady hands can build a place where students rise, fall, and rise again.
If you care about school culture, mentorship, and what truly helps students excel, this conversation will stay with you. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who shaped your own school story. And if this inspired you, leave a review so more listeners can find Amplified.
The Stories Behind Our Story
Hi everyone and welcome to Hall Pass to History. I'm Adrian Langaster, a junior at Indian River High School, and I am excited to share a little bit about the history of my school. The Indian River High School community nurtures, develops, and challenges all Braves by inspiring academic excellence, modern responsible citizenship, and embracing our diverse community. That mission echoes in classrooms, on fields, stage, and throughout hallways every day as we rise together. The original Indian River High School, which opened in 1967, was located on Old Greenbrier Road, the current single-story facility opened in the winter of 1972 on Dumbarton Road. The 185 members of the class of 1969 set many of our beloved Indian River traditions in motion by establishing the school colors we celebrate today, and a mother of the class in 1969 also wrote our school's alma mater. Indian River has also been home to many of the notable alumni, basketball legend Alonzo Morning, NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd, and Saturday Night Live regular Jay Pharoah are all Indian River Braves. Being involved outside the classroom is what makes Indian River High School special. I thrive from being involved in clubs and activities. Not only that, I have my own special connection to Indian River history. My father, Jeremy Langaster, graduated from Indian River High School. He was a member of the 1995 State Championship football team, and he wears his championship ring with pride. 30 years after my father was crowned a state champion, I became a state champion. I compete on the Indian River High School speech team as a dramatic interpreter. I achieved the trifecta in my first year within the club, earning the first in the region, first in the super region, and first in the state. There aren't too many people who can say they have that distinction of carrying on a state championship-winning legacy. And it makes both me and my father proud. So grab your hall pass and let's walk these halls together. This is Hall Pass to History, and this is Indian River High School.
Jay Lewter:Hi everyone, listeners. We're thrilled to have you back in 2026 to Amplified. Today is another Hall Pass to History episode with our friends from Indian River High School. We've got Mr. Jimmy Frye and Mrs. Naomi Dunbar here with us. And Ms. Dunbar, what a special introduction.
Naomi Dunbar:Absolutely. Adrian is a phenomenal student. He's an 11th grade student at Indian River and state champion for forensics for dramatic interpretation. He's doing a great job. Wants to continue that path one day at a four-year college in mass communication and a minor in theater. He's really good.
Jay Lewter:Very nice. I can tell how proud you are. And we're thrilled to have Adrian with us. Matt, take it away.
Matt Graham:Let's take a moment to get our listeners to know a little bit more about y'all. Can you take a moment and share a little bit about yourself, maybe your background, your connection Chesapeake Public Schools, and what led you into that leadership position at Indian River High?
Naomi Dunbar:Well, believe it or not, I did not start out as an educator. I am a career switcher. I have an electronics engineering degree from Norfolk State University. So I did that for a couple of years and decided after working this was not my career path. Went back to school, got my master's in education, and a few hours I had to take for certification because I was engineer major, so I had all the maths. Of course, I taught math at Western Branch Middle for nine years. I was an early commitment hire. So I started mid-year. And then after nine years of being at Western Branch Middle, I became an AP at Indian River Middle. And I did that for six years before becoming principal. Nine years there, and now 12 years at Indian River High School. So this is my 21st year as principal and all in the Indian River community, which I love. And I think it's ironic for I need to say this piece. This is my 27th year in the Indian River community. And Mr. Frye served 27 years at Indian River High School. So how ironic that we've been in the community for 27 years individually. What a perfect segue. Wow.
Jay Lewter:You should be sitting in my seat. That was that was perfect. Mr. Frye, what about you? Tell us about your journey.
Jimmy Frye:Well, I I took a little detour uh after college. My major in college was history. But prior to uh coming into education, I was commissioned into the United States Army as a military police officer, lieutenant. I had the pleasure of being a uh military police platoon leader. Once I finished my military service, I did a smart thing and got married first. And then I started teaching at Great Bridge Junior High School. I did three years at Great Bridge Junior High School and was blessed enough to get an internship at the University of Virginia. And so I did that. And once I did that, I became assistant principal at Crestwood Junior High School. Did a couple years there. Then I went to Truett Junior High School as assistant principal. Then I got my first principalship. But what I left out was the fact that prior to all of that, I was blessed to serve at Indy River High School as an assistant principal summer school. And I also served, I think like in 81 as principal summer school. And I got my first real taste of principalship. And I finally found a place that I could stay after I left Western Branch Street in High School. And I found home at Indy River High School where I stayed 27 years.
Naomi Dunbar:And you were my assistant principal when I was there.
Jimmy Frye:Are you serious?
Naomi Dunbar:I did for one year, Mr. Frye. It was for one year. I remember that well now before uh Dr. Stukes, Debbie Stukes came. What a cool connection.
Jay Lewter:What a cool connection. Mr. Frye sort of highlighted a moment in his career as that summer school assistant principal where he felt that spark for leadership. Ms. Dunbar, was there a moment for you where you felt a spark for leadership that called you into the role you're in now?
Naomi Dunbar:I think it was maybe not my spark initially, but it was Linda Scott, Dr. Linda Scott. She was my principal for six years. And she was the one that said to me one day, Naomi, you can do this. This is, I see your future in the role of a leader here. And the year that I became principal, she did the planning year at Oscar Smith Middle, the new Oscar Smith Middle School. And it was very bittersweet that she left, but she passed the tort to me to carry on at Any River Middle. So she was the first person that saw that leadership in me. And I enjoyed working for her the six years. But I I I want to say that six year, fifth to sixth year of being an AP under her leadership, I started feeling that little sense of urge, but I really needed her to give me that confirmation that this is where my path needed to go.
Jimmy Frye:I'd like to just say this, also again, the opportunities. My first teaching job at Gripps Junior High School, the principal there, Herb Ruffin told me, he said, man, when you enter school, you'll be having a conversation. He said, You know, if he has your credentials, I would hire you as my assistant principal. And so that led me along that way. And then, of course, there was Dr. Bateman who saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. So again, just like with her, it's not so much just Spock, it's being put in position positions with the right opportunities to have that chance. Right.
Matt Graham:And then the people believing in you. It really makes sense.
Jay Lewter:Yeah, that investment and that mentorship so important. Yeah.
Matt Graham:Now, this is your 12th year at Indian River. Yes. And you're tw and you were 27 years as the principal. Yes. There's been obviously some changes during those years. What are some of the changes that you have seen that you don't mind sharing with the community that you can attest to?
Jimmy Frye:Well, well, first thing I'm gonna say that I see that's really, really changed is the technology aspect. Sure. I have a grandson who's a sixth grader at Greenbride Middle School. And when he brings home his Chromebook every day. Second thing I saw really is school size. When I started the Indian River, we were a happy 10th through 12 school. Then when middle school came, we went 9-12. And what I saw with that was the change in the school size. The school size makes a difference. We had went from like 1,200 to like about 17, 1800 kids. So uh those types of things I saw. And also the other thing I'm gonna say is is security. Man, one of the best things that I ever saw happen to us was to get those cameras. Oh my God. You know, you could do so much with in the building as well as on your perimeter with those types of those are the types of things they strike me right now. Right.
Jay Lewter:Let's peek into the classroom environment for a minute. Mr. Frye, when you're making rounds in your day, what was the classroom like?
Jimmy Frye:I think in the early stages, it was pretty traditional. I think it was more lecture. But as the years evolved, it became a whole lot more interactive. And I believe in that. I believe that we have to make education appealing and fun. And so those are some of the things that we try to get to to get the kids involved. I think I've always believed that uh an involved student is a motivated student and the student is going to learn more by doing that. So I did watch it evolve somewhat because, like I said, when I first got started, it really was, you know, open the book to page 65 and answer these questions. Yes, sir. But but it it had it did evolve to be a whole lot more uh hands-on and it also became much more technologically savvy. So all of that helped change some things for us too.
Jay Lewter:And Ms. Dunbar, you guys are taking that to the next level these days.
Naomi Dunbar:Absolutely. And I I agree. And I I remember saying, you know, I taught at Western Branch Middle and coming to Indian River Middle in 1999, that's how long ago it was, and seeing what those teachers had, what I would say their toolbox that to get the students at Indian River to understand the content, they had to bring that engagement. And I too, so I did see the shift from where I probably well, I was a math teacher, so not I couldn't give the lectures, but I did see other teachers when I first started teaching. There were it was definitely in when I was a student, more lecture. But it quickly evolved when I came to the Indian River community where I saw the engagement. I saw the multiple exposures, the teachers, what they had to do, and I'd say, you know, I would put my teachers up against any school because they had to have a plethora of instructional strategies to help our students understand the information.
Jimmy Frye:That's why I love this lady. But no, because what she just said was key to me. I would always say, too, that I would put the staff at Indian River community up against any staff anywhere. And so I'm glad you see that also because they really, really brought so much extra to the table for us.
Naomi Dunbar:And I when I interviewed teachers to come to Indian River, I look for that relationships are important. And I get and I think now it's to trusting relationships. Students have to believe not only that you believe in them and that significant learning for that to take place, but they also have to know again that you believe that Mr. Frye, you can do this work. So the students have to know that. They have to know that to even want to succeed. And so I spend a lot of time when I interview teachers because there's a certain type of teacher I'm looking for, that caring, but also the teacher who has the knowledge, but again, someone that's dedicated to help kids reach that level. The total package. Yeah. The total package.
Matt Graham:Now, there's a lot of tradition with Indian River High. The motto is Braves Are Who We Are, Rise is What We Do. What does that mean to you? And what are some of your favorite Indian River High school traditions?
Naomi Dunbar:Yes. And I need to add, so that came about that motto with the PBIS. So it wasn't in place when Mr. Frye came. However, with us being together for so many years, they always said, uh, once a brave, always a brave. Now other schools say that, but short-hearted in Indian River. And also the other pieces that the river rises. So I would say that when I was at the middle school. So we've had that. But I will say with the when we've had the motto now, I think for eight years with PBIS. And it's it's well known throughout the community and the district now. But for me, and in my graduation speech last year, I talked about there's a twofold meaning. Of course, rise, which means you know, you want our students to be responsible, involved, and you talked about that, Mr. Frye, safe and ethical. The twofold meaning is still the rise that I believe students at Inney River High can rise above all expectations. And we challenge our students all the time, not just academically, out inside and outside of the classroom. I think that's important to have well-rounded students. But we talk about, and I, and again, part of my graduation speech last year, and I had a student come to me after graduation. He was like, Wow, Mrs. Dunbar, you really made me think about. I've heard rise my entire high school career, but the fact that we're going to rise in every aspect of our lives, and we may fall short, we may fall down, but we're gonna get back up and we're gonna rise again. So that made me feel so good right after graduation. And just this week, just right now, that's why I was just barely getting here on time. I'm meeting with my seniors with all of my counselors for an hour, have all seven scheduled this week, meeting with students that are at risk right now of not potentially graduating and talking to them about what they can do, how you can get across the stage, how you're going to rise, you're gonna walk across that stage, and this is how you're gonna do it. So giving them the tools right now, not in May when we're all sweating, but talking to them right now. So that that is really important. And when they hear it every day on the announcements, it's a thread throughout the building now.
Jimmy Frye:And I love it because to me, it unified those students. And I guess I still go to games and stuff and stuff.
Naomi Dunbar:Every game. I love seeing him for every football game.
Jimmy Frye:The kids believe in that, and they try to make her proud and happy. And I think that when you put that out there, it can unify you, but you got to push it. You have to start out, you got to push it. But it can be achieved in this for the betterment of entire school and school community, I think. Right.
Matt Graham:Now, is there a tradition that you remember from back in the day when you were there that you really loved?
Jimmy Frye:Some of the things that we did. We had a tradition in the river that we call superclass. And when I first got there, I didn't have a clue what it was. It was a competition between sophomore juniors and seniors. And and we normally did that near the end of school year. And I came to love it because I knew when we did that, it was about three days left in school. And I was almost done. But it and and then the other things that she probably I don't still do, like we did uh our pet rallies in our commons area, and we did bonfires, things of that nature. One thing that she started that I love, because I've had a chance to attend, is the homecoming parade. And I've gone to and I've gone to help judge the folks and things of that nature. So those are type things that the kids in the community look for. But I had one of the guys who I who I grew up with who kids and he loved it. He said, Man, that's a wonderful thing.
Jay Lewter:So it's cool to see some of those things like like homecoming parades are carrying through. Yeah. And that Mr. Frye, it's so great to know that you still keep close tabs on the Indian River High School and you're still involved in the school that that has helped make you who you are and you've made the community what they are. So I love that you're still involved so closely.
Jimmy Frye:Well, I think a lot of that is attributable to the fact that Miss Dunbar has has made it extremely welcoming for me. I need to say that. Absolutely. She even went so far as, give me, as I've gotten older, I have I wear hearing age, and my my hearing has affected my balance in some ways. And so I used to go up to the top in the stands. Now I don't like going up quite as high. So she made accommodations for me in the end zone. I got my own little section. And so I do appreciate that. So she but she really has been very accommodating to me. And I've tried to be inobtrusive, but but she's been so kind to me. And I need to say that that I get emotional and say this is that this lady uh had a part in my family in that my wife taught for her. She also hired my daughter as a guidance counselor at Indy River Middle School. And so those types of things go a long way with me. I never forget that. But uh this is a lady that's very special to me. And I think that the Indy River community is extremely blessed to have a lady, a person of her caliber leading it. I mean that.
Naomi Dunbar:And I I need to add that my first theme coming to Indy River High School 12 years ago was looking to the future but grateful for the past. And what I did was I wanted to honor Mr. Frye. That was my first theme. And so my yearbook that year had our pictures on it together. And everything we did, my t-shirt that year had Mr. Frye and myself on it. And that was the future, and it was very intentional. And I talked to my staff about why I chose it. I had a dream one night that summer, I started July 1st and it was around mid-July. I was like, I don't know what theme I'm gonna do. And it just it was so clear this is what I want to do. And then four years into my role at Indian River High School, we were able to, it took me four years, but it was year four when we named the stadium, and that was a great day. So it's the James L. Frye football stadium.
Jay Lewter:Oh, I was gonna ask about that. I was gonna ask about that. Uh obviously, the naming of the stadium is a huge milestone and a great memorial to to you and your career at Indian River. But is there something that you reflect on that you're especially proud of in your 27 years at Indian River?
Jimmy Frye:First thing was I'd like to thank her again for uh that honor because it was it was almost a surprise to me. However, I was at a restaurant having breakfast one morning. Waitress came back. She said, Aren't you, Mr. Frye? I say, Well, yes. She said, We're gonna name the stadium after you.
Matt Graham:Did you just find out about that, Miss Dunbury? Yeah, I didn't know.
Jimmy Frye:But yeah, yeah, the couple things. First thing was very proud of the fact that we were able to, I I mentioned the school size. We we were able to go from 1012 to 912, which meant we went from 1200, like 1700 kids. The second thing I'm very proud of is the fact that we were able to hang in there to get the school modernized. It's a beautiful facility now. I love it. And they have done a wonderful job of maintaining it. I made an agreement with Mr. Tom Mercer that I would stay until it was done. And so it's beautiful. I'm very proud of that.
Naomi Dunbar:So it is, it's a jewel in the city, isn't it? Right. I came one year after the renovation was complete. So all the walls were white. There you couldn't paint or do anything in the building. So I was able to put the murals up when Mr. Frye left. So that was the agreement, I guess, with the contractor. I was like, white walls in here. Nothing is on the wall.
Jimmy Frye:In my in my office?
Naomi Dunbar:Everywhere. In the whole building. We couldn't hang.
Jimmy Frye:We couldn't hang stuff. We couldn't fall out. One year.
Naomi Dunbar:So I actually stepped into your office one year after and was able to. Put all the murals and everything up.
Matt Graham:There's definitely a lot of love and a lot of solidarity with Indian River in your community. You can see it right here. Is there a story that comes to mind that captures the heart of your school community?
Jimmy Frye:I have a couple. First one, and my second year at the rubber high school, my head custodian, Mr. Robert Moore, who's deceased now, house ran down. And we had a Christmas assembly. My students and staff raised funds and we presented it to Mr. Moore during the assembly. I never forget the sense of pride that I felt because I knew then that I was with the family. And also was important for me because a lot of times you always wonder if students realize the roles that the various people both on the school staff play. It's always been my opinion that it takes everybody in that down to run that school, the custodians, the cafeteer workers, the teachers, teachers' assists, the bus drivers, all of them were important. It made me feel good to see that my students and staff realized that. And that was when I knew, okay, this this fits me. And the second thing was, was when I had two of my students and their father get killed while they were traveling to Carolina for a graduation. And I never forget how how the community and staff came together to support their family. And I think those are the types of things that really stick with me because again, I'm very big on the togetherness and family and this type of thing. And I think that Any River traditionally has been a family. One more story. This past school year, I went to a football game at Western Branch. So two ladies approached me. One was a security guard and one was a teacher, I think. And they just like to say, we love Indian River. It's such a family. And I think I mentioned that to her. That made me feel good to see that. It's still there and it's still tight.
Naomi Dunbar:And I would piggyback on what you just said about the family environment. So when I talk to my staff and I new teachers come in, I always meet with them the summer before and we have a one-on-one meeting. I talk to them about the family environment. I hear families, I hear people come in all the time. They say there's a different feel in this building. And I've said to my staff, and I say it every year, Mr. Frye created the family environment here. I've just tried to maintain it. So I, and when I meet with my staff, I'm meeting now with everyone that came in new to the building. I meet with second semester at the beginning. And I'll say, I met with you coming in. How do you feel now? Do you still feel the way you're and they always say, Miss Dunbar, you're exactly correct. Everyone is very helpful. I feel that environment that you said was going to happen when I got here. It's been exactly the expectation when I got here. And I'd also like to add that the staff and community will always come together. We've certainly helped students if and staff with their hardships. Well, we don't even put a name out sometimes, and they will give just to support another brave. So that's still there, Mr. Frye. So I do feel like, and I say that every year to the staff as a whole, that this is a family and that this environment I felt when I was at the middle school, but I also felt when I got there after you had been there so long and I've tried to maintain that family environment.
Jay Lewter:I tell you, culture is such a great legacy for the both of you. Mr. Frye, it's something that you've been able to cultivate and develop. And Ms. Dunbar, something that you've been able to amplify and continue to build upon. What a great legacy for the school and for the community. We're gonna wrap up with one more question. And it's the question that we ask of all of our hall paths to history guests. Matt, why don't you ask them that last question?
Matt Graham:What makes Indian River High School so special?
Jimmy Frye:Well, uh, one of the things I know makes it special is the fact that Indian River has had continuity. Do you realize that in I think it's fifth or six years that they've had three principals in that whole time? Also, we've been blessed to be able to hire to hire neither she nor I or anything with all this strong staff behind us. We've had that. The community support that supports her that is supporting me makes it all special. I need to just say that it was so special to me that I can testify that's a great school because both of my my son and my daughter were educated there. Miss Dunbar has had a son that's finished there. And because of that, I can tell yes, it's a wonderful place. It is. Got a wonderful education. And I tell people that all the time, because my son and my daughter lived there, they have a crazy principle being me. But but but it got a wonderful education. So still a special place to me.
Naomi Dunbar:And I agree. Yeah, my son graduated last year with the 4.13 with 21 credits going in to college, and he's doing fantastic. He loved Indian River, and I do too. And that that is a testament. If your own child can go to the school where you work and you trust the teachers to teach your children, then you know it's the best place.
Jimmy Frye:But I yeah, go ahead. And that was one of the reasons why, honestly, my wife and I, you know, my wife, by the way, did 40 years in Indy River community. She started in 1971 at Inner River Junior High School, and in 2011, she retired from Inner River Middle School. And so we chose it for a reason because we liked what we saw. And so, uh, and it's a very important place that I love. And I'm just glad to be able to testify that it is in good hands still.
Naomi Dunbar:Well, I appreciate that, Mr. Frye. And I do, I love the community. I told, I told my staff, I said, you know, I live in Western Branch. I could have asked for a transfer after all these years, but I choose to drive across the high rides, which is better now with the easy pass and everything. But for a lot of years, it took a long time to get to work. But I chose to be there because there is a it's a special feeling there. It's a special commitment that staffs and students have to make. And I always tell everyone that comes there, even last night, Mr. Cohen, who's the guidance director, has been there 32 years. And I say it as well. We both say it. It's the best kept secret in Chesapeake.
Jay Lewter:Matt, I have learned so much about Indian River High School today and the uh important legacy that Mr. Frye leaves and that Ms. Dunbar carries on.
Matt Graham:Absolutely. And thank you all so much for coming in. This has been a great conversation, and I enjoyed our hall past to history.
Jay Lewter:Yeah, join us next time on Amplified.
Jimmy Frye:That wasn't so bad.
Matt Graham:We hope you enjoyed the stories behind our story on this episode of Amplified, the Chesapeake Public Schools podcast. Connect with us at cpschools.com forward slash amplified, and be sure to subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
