An Achievable Dream (AAD) proudly celebrated the outstanding Class of 2026 across our Newport News and Virginia Beach campuses this spring, culminating in June’s commencement ceremonies. These exceptional graduates demonstrate what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. As they close this chapter and begin the next, we’ve been honoring their accomplishments and are excited to share highlights from this memorable season at AAD.
Commitment Day
Graduation season starts with Commitment Day in both Newport News and Virginia Beach! This beloved annual tradition invites AAD teachers, staff members and supporters to a morning of celebration and hope. Seniors share their post-graduation plans and sign pledges committing to pursuing their dreams.
Arthur and Jean Fass were celebrated and honored at each ceremony for sponsoring the AAD Classes of 2026. The Fass family has supported An Achievable Dream throughout the years, and their tremendous generosity will provide scholarships to each graduate as they pursue the paths to their futures. An Achievable Dream extends our deepest gratitude to the Fass Family for investing in the Class of 2026 in both Newport News and Virginia Beach.
Senior Walk
Graduation season continued with the annual “Senior Walk”! This beloved tradition brings seniors to An Achievable Dream Academy in Newport News or Seatack Elementary An Achievable Dream Academy in Virginia Beach to walk the halls one more time as current elementary school Dreamers cheer for them, waving hand-made posters celebrating our seniors’ success. This special event is a meaningful return for those who started the program in elementary school and a thrilling first experience for those who joined the program in middle or high school. In Newport News, the celebration concludes with seniors participatingin the morning program one last time. In Virginia Beach, seniors return to former classrooms to sign their names in murals decorating the walls, leaving words of support for students following in their footsteps. As seniors prepare to start the next chapter of their story, this special celebration is equal parts nostalgic reflection and inspiration for the future.
Commencement Ceremonies
For the AAD Classes of 2026, graduation is the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and excellence. Attended by family members, friends, teachers, school administrators, city council members, school board members, school district leaders, members of the AAD Boards of Directors, and community leaders, these commencement ceremonies celebrate the tremendous achievements of our seniors while offering hope and inspiration for the future.
Each ceremony was also a special opportunity to recognize the sponsor of both AAD Classes of 2026, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Jean Fass. Class of 2026 will forever be known as the Fass Scholars in gratitude for Arthur and Jean’s commitment to provide scholarships for our graduates who remain in good standing throughout their post-graduation journeys.
Newport News
On Wednesday, June 3, our Newport News seniors walked across the graduation stage at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University!
The class valedictorian and salutatorian shared heartfelt memories of the bond they created in the program as they spoke to their peers. Senior Class President and valedictorian Malik Lockhart-Burris shared, “One thing Dreamers all have in common is that we have experienced love and teachings of strength, passion, and confidence – all of which have made us who we are today. The teachers and faculty made success something that we should all strive for, because success feels good!”
Class salutatorian Markise Harris shared some words of advice with his fellow graduates. “Be as kind to yourself as you are to your dreams. It is so easy to let a single shadow – a mistake, a ‘what if,’ a missed mark – block out the sun of everything you’ve achieved. But I hope you learn to celebrate your light. Nurture the parts of yourself that make you proud, and tend to your flaws with patience rather than shame,” Markise warmly advised.
Whether college-bound, pursuing a trade, enlisting in the military, or entering the workforce, the Newport News Class of 2026 is on their way to the next chapter of their lives. We could not be more proud, and we’re excited to cheer them on every step of the way.
Congratulations, Newport News Class of 2026!
Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach Class of 2026 crossed the stage on June 10, 2026 becoming the second graduating class Dreamers in Virginia Beach!
Class president Kadyn Tyler Mason spoke to her classmates, reminiscing on the memories they’ve created together and the shared experiences that shaped their time at AAD. “Thinking about all the years we have spent together, I’ve realized it’s the everyday that has made high school special. The rushed mornings, the crowded hallways, the last minute studying, or the random conversations before class. The way one school day could somehow feel exhausting, hilarious, stressful and unforgettable all at once. And I think that says a lot about who we are because our class learned how to keep going even when we were tired and overwhelmed or carrying things no one else could see. We learned how to support each other but also how to celebrate each other.”
Class salutatorian Jennovecio “Tokyo” Hines expressed her hopes for her fellow graduates, sharing, “As we move into the next chapter, remember that success isn’t about having a perfect path. When the road is uncertain, it’s important to have the courage to keep moving forward. There will be opportunities, challenges, victories, and setbacks in the future. There will be times when you don’t know what to do. Remember to set your heart ablaze in those moments. Let your passion guide you. Let your dreams inspire you. Let your determination push you to the limit.”
“Over the years, I learned that being a Dreamer was about more than just going to school. It was about believing in myself, pushing past obstacles, and striving for greatness even when things seemed impossible,” shared valedictorian Jayden Dejesus. “A quote that has stayed with me is, ‘Pressure does not break a person, it reveals the strength they never knew they had.’ And I believe that strength is something every member of this Class carries within them today.”
Dr. Lee Vreeland, President and CEO of AAD, also shared words of encouragement with our seniors, reminding them that their voice matters and their leadership is needed. She ended her message to the graduates with the important reminder, “Once a Dreamer, always a Dreamer.”
Three exceptional Dreamers were also recognized with Dreamer Medallions. Jayden Dejesus, Fabian Duprey, and Jaylen Sanderson received these special awards, each embodying the qualities and traits that define a Dreamer.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas and the tossing of their graduation caps. As the new graduates recessed down the aisle, they may have been walking away from their time at An Achievable Dream, but more importantly, they were stepping boldly into their futures. We cannot wait to see what these futures bring, and to support these remarkable graduates every step of the way.
Congratulations, Virginia Beach Class of 2026!
