NORFOLK, Va. — They came with press passes, microphones, and a mission. On Sunday, April 26, 2026, student journalists from Bethel High School’s MAD Academy stepped onto the hardwood at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, not as spectators, but as credentialed members of the press — covering the Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, the iconic franchise’s landmark centennial season.

The field experience was coordinated with the support of Ms. Beck G, Principal and Senior Publicist at Beck’s Management Public Relations, whose media access enabled the student journalists to operate with full press credentials on the arena floor. Faculty advisors Ms. Coleman, Mr. Rascoe, and Ms. Lowery accompanied the scholars throughout the event, guiding them through the experience of covering a professional sports production from the inside.

Press Passes and a Place on the Floor

Walking into Chartway Arena with official Harlem Globetrotters press credentials hanging from their lanyards, the MAD Academy scholars immediately understood the weight of the assignment. The laminated passes granted them access that the general public does not receive — direct floor access before, during, and after the game, putting them face-to-face with one of the most recognizable touring sports brands in the world.

The 100 Year Tour is itself a historic event — a once-in-a-century milestone celebrating 100 years of the Harlem Globetrotters, an organization that has played more than 26,000 exhibition games across 124 countries and territories since their founding in 1926. For the first time, the tour debuted the team’s new 100 Year jerseys, and the arena atmosphere reflected the significance of the occasion.

Face to Face with “Ace”: A Live Interview with Arysia Porter

The highlight of the evening came when MAD Academy scholars had the rare opportunity to interview Harlem Globetrotters player Arysia “Ace” Porter — #1 on the roster and one of the most recognizable figures in the organization’s historic run of female athletes.

Porter, known throughout the league for her brilliant ball-handling, signature multicolored braids, and on-court joy, joined the Globetrotters in 2023. She is widely regarded as one of the standout voices for women in professional basketball entertainment, and has spoken openly about her mission: “I became a Harlem Globetrotter to travel the world spreading joy and laughter, to play the game that I love, and to inspire, motivate, and encourage people to follow their dreams despite what people say.”

A student journalist from Bethel’s MAD Academy stepped forward confidently, microphone in hand, to conduct the interview directly on the arena floor as the post-game crowd buzzed around them. Photographs from the exchange capture the seriousness and professionalism of the moment: a young reporter holding her recording device toward the player, both standing squarely in conversation on the hardwood. Porter engaged fully — answering questions with energy, making eye contact, and offering what witnesses described as a warm and encouraging exchange with the aspiring journalist.

The scholars also had the chance to meet Porter in a more casual setting, with a handshake and a photo capturing the moment another student greeted the player — a snapshot that embodies exactly what field journalism is meant to produce: real human connection across the story.

A Team Effort Behind the Byline

The Bethel scholars operated as a coordinated press team throughout the night. While some conducted interviews, others captured photography, managed notes, and documented the sideline atmosphere. Advisors Ms. Coleman, Mr. Rascoe, and Ms. Lowery remained present throughout, coaching scholars in real time and modeling the standards of professional media coverage.

The giant Spalding Harlem Globetrotters display basketball — a centerpiece of the arena floor — served as the group’s natural gathering point. Images from the evening show the scholars posed before it in high spirits: striking playful stances, laughing together, and celebrating what was clearly a milestone night. One scholar wore official Globetrotters-branded warm-up pants as a souvenir of the occasion, drawing both smiles and admiration from the group.

The energy in the photographs is unmistakable. These scholars were not bystanders. They were professionals in training — and on this night, they carried themselves accordingly.

Beck’s Management PR: Opening Doors for Student Media

The field experience would not have been possible without the professional partnership of Ms. Beck G, Principal and Senior Publicist at Beck’s Management Public Relations. Her coordination on behalf of the scholars ensured that the MAD Academy students were treated not as visitors, but as credentialed media — a distinction that shaped every aspect of their experience from the moment they arrived.

For student journalists learning to navigate the media industry, access like this is rare — and transformative. Ms. Beck G’s investment in young journalists reflects the kind of industry mentorship that turns classroom lessons into lived experience.

What’s Next for MAD Academy Journalism

Following the event, MAD Academy journalists are expected to publish written recaps, produce broadcast-style reports, and develop social media content based on their courtside coverage. The Harlem Globetrotters assignment adds to a growing portfolio of real-world press experiences for the program this year, which has also included a visit to WTKR Channel 3 News in Norfolk and a media immersion at Norfolk State University’s BIZ Talk Experience.

For the scholars of Bethel High School’s MAD Academy, April 26, 2026, was not just a night at a basketball show — it was the night they proved they belong in the press box.

Photography by the MAD Academy Journalism Program  |  Bethel High School, Hampton City Schools  |  Media Access provided by Beck’s Management Public Relations