An Achievable Dream Announces Class of 2017 Sponsors

An Achievable Dream Announces Class of 2017 Sponsors

Newport News, VA – An Achievable Dream (AAD) announced that Arthur and Jean Fass and Ferguson Enterprises are the co-sponsors of the Class of 2017 during their 24th Annual Tennis Ball gala on Saturday, November 19.  As class sponsors, they will provide annual merit scholarships for each member of the class every year that they attend college and maintain a required grade point average. The graduates of the Class of 2017 will be known as The Fass Family/Ferguson Enterprises Scholars. Ferguson Enterprises also sponsored the Class of 2008 and 2016. “This year we are particularly proud to sponsor the class of 2017,” said Robert Braig, Vice President of the industrial group for Ferguson’s parent company, Wolseley , “All of us at Ferguson Enterprises are proud to be a small part of what goes on at the Achievable Dream.”

The co-sponsor of the Class of 2017 is a husband and wife who support our students and want to help them achieve their dreams. Arthur Fass, CEO of Maritime Products International, and wife, Jean Fass, were touched by our Academy many years ago. “It’s a privilege for me to be able to help sponsor this class,” said Arthur. “God bless these young children and God bless Walter Segaloff for bringing this program to this city.”

Announcement of the class sponsors is a highlight of the Tennis Ball and follows an introduction of the current seniors as they enter to the music of Pomp and Circumstance dressed in caps and gowns. Robert Braig challenged the students to “Go out there and see how well you can do.”

Class sponsorship of An Achievable Dream graduates is a concept dating from 1992 with the founding of the school by Walter Segaloff, a local businessman. The first scholarships were given to the Class of 2001 and businesses and individuals have stepped forward each year to keep Segaloff’s dream alive. To date, 95% of An Achievable Dream graduates have continued to two or four-year colleges or a trade school, while 5% have joined the military.

Previous class sponsors are: the Frank and Marie Blechman Foundation (2001); Mary Hughes, owner, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson (2002, 2012); Michelle Jacobs, former president of the Lee Group (2003); Chesapeake Bay Seafood House Restaurants, in honor of Alan and Beverley Diamonstein (2004); Caleb and Virginia West and Dollar Tree Stores (2005); Smithfield Foods (2006, 2015); W.M. Jordan Company (2007); Ferguson Enterprises (2008); NC and Linda Hardee (2009, 2010); Bay Electric Company and the Biagas Family (2011); Aubrey and Peggy Layne (2013); and Mike and Nancy Petters (2014); Charles and Mari Ann Banks and Ferguson Enterprises (2016).