The good times rolled for students at the Jackalope skateboarding festival at the Oceanfront. They tested their skills on a towering vert ramp, impressed judges with their tricks at the skate park and created artwork that was a backdrop for thousands of beachgoers.

Through a partnership between Virginia Beach City Public Schools and festival organizers, middle schoolers won VIP passes after submitting videos of their skills to the division’s physical education department.

“It was nice to watch skaters on the vert ramp,” said Jackson Briley, an eighth grader at Old Donation School. “I’ve never done it. But it’s neat to see what other skaters can do.”

During some free time in front of one the festival’s stages, Princess Anne Middle School eighth grader Sydney Critcher started talking to a police officer about some of her tricks.

“I taught him how to do an ollie,” she said, describing the maneuver where a skater kicks the back of the board down while jumping to make the board pop into the air.

Virginia Beach Middle School eighth grader Kalani Ferolino won fourth place in the Under-16 competition. And he and Kempsville Middle School student Asher Leonard both skateboarded on the vert ramp.

Middle and high school students painted murals and skateboards that were displayed on the Boardwalk near the King Neptune statue. Festivalgoers took photos in front of the artwork, which featured everything from skateboarding kittens to astronauts with skating gear. A Coastal Edge art show allowed students to take part in a juried competition and sell their work. Visitors were impressed with the beachscapes and fashions on display.

During his VIP experience, Virginia Beach Middle School eighth grader Joshua “JP” Knight watched the rock-climbing competition, where contestants used balance and upper-body strength to ascend various obstacles as a timer counted down.

“Although I didn’t get a chance to try it myself, I like how we were able to walk around and check out a lot of different things,” Knight said.