Our Founder - Walter Segaloff

Message from our Founder

An Achievable Dream (AAD) is a dream shared collectively by many, many individuals, organizations and businesses.
 
We call the students of An Achievable Dream "Dreamers." But, everyone involved with An Achievable Dream are really dreamers, too -- the dedicated teachers, staff and administrators; our education partners in Newport News Public Schools; the City of Newport News; our business partners; the soldiers from Ft. Eustis and deputy sheriffs from Newport News who volunteer their time; the education faculty at the College of William and Mary; the Rotary Club of the Virginia Peninsula, our friends at the United States Tennis Association; friends, family, political leaders and most importantly, the parents, grandparents and guardians of our "dreamers"-- our most valuable partners, because they help us keep the dream alive. As they well know, An Achievable Dream is a program designed not only for students, but also for their families.
 
An Achievable Dream is teaching children to become productive citizens with achievable dreams. Through our character development-based education program, "Dreamers" are learning to make the right decisions to live successful lives.
 
Our students have goals. They set high expectations for themselves, because our teachers and staff set high standards for them. Our students value education and life skills. Above all, our students have hope. They have dreams.
 
One of our Dreamers in the third grade wrote this essay titled What An Achievable Dream Means to Me:

An Achievable Dream means to me to be prepared for the future for everything I might come in contact with and help me to survive to make a living and be able to make the right decisions, be respectful and responsible for my own actions.

It also will help me to be what I want to be in life and to give me the opportunity to be a doctor, teacher or nurse, and be able to help other people to improve themselves so they can be better people, too.  An Achievable Dream teaches me to be strong and know right from wrong, so I don't get involved with drugs, the use of guns and other bad things that can get you in trouble, and get in the way of your dreams.

An Achievable Dream to me is something as a young person, I think about and wonder if my heart's desire will come true. Being a part of An Achievable Dream and learning more than math, English, science and more, I have a real chance in making my achievable dream come true.

Our students have hope.

Without hope, or a dream, children have nothing.

To all who share our dream, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Walter Segaloff
Founder