The Neptune Festival’s crowning of King Neptune and his Tritons has been a time-honored tradition in Virginia Beach.

The honor highlights the men in the city who will serve as its ambassadors throughout the year and have proven their commitment to the citizens of Virginia Beach in their charitable and professional work. They are selected by a committee, and tasked with volunteering at more than 40 city events during their reign.

This year, one of VBCPS’s own made history on the court.

Jason Barefoot, a teacher at Princess Anne High School, was the first teacher ever to be named a Triton and placed on Neptune’s Royal Court.

It’s a distinction he takes very seriously.

“It has given me a sense of pride to represent the professionalism of over 5,000 teachers in Virginia Beach,” Barefoot said. “At multiple Neptune events this year I have had people congratulate me on being the first teacher on the court as they convey to me that one of their own family members is a teacher and that they are happy to see a teacher on the court.”

Barefoot also said there is a great similarity between the mission of the Neptune Festival and that of a teacher.

“One of the missions of the Festival is to ‘engender a spirit of community pride, fellowship and cohesiveness for the diverse elements of the Virginia citizenry,’” Barefoot said. “ Being a teacher isn’t much different…Being a teacher has given me the opportunity to be more than an academic educator.  So many kids these days lack positive atmospheres whether at home, in neighborhoods or amongst peers.  Being in the school system has enabled me to be an athletic coach, a mentor, a leader, a friend and a consistent being for what many students thirst for.”

For more on the festival – and the duties of the Royal Court – visit http://www.neptunefestival.com/royal-court.