First Lady Suzanne Youngkin presented the Spirit of Virginia Award to An Achievable Dream, an organization that partners with the Newport News, Virginia Beach, and Henrico school districts to operate six schools serving 2,000 students in total.
“Education is a critical component of opportunity for all and An Achievable Dream’s approach to caring for the whole student, supporting families, and setting high standards is unparalleled,” Youngkin said in a Wednesday press release. “When we honor Virginians who are changing lives for the better, we need look no further than the administrators and teachers in these schools.”
The award is targeted at unique organizations with “uncommon contributions” in Virginia.
“The organization emphasizes a core approach focusing on children’s social-emotional learning, essential life skills, extended academic time to focus on learning and support for the student’s entire family through a variety of initiatives, including home visits, parent education, a clothes closet, anonymous services and more,” Youngkin’s release states.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has been pushing legislators to expand school choice, and as part of that, his administration has promoted partnerships between public schools and private organizations and businesses.
“An Achievable Dream is an exemplar of the best-in-class education we are working to achieve for all Virginia students. The successes of An Achievable Dream students show what is possible when schools build a culture of high expectations and innovation. Congratulations to the students, parents, teachers, school leadership and funders that make An Achievable Dream a model of excellence,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera said in the first lady’s press release.
In partnership with the first lady, five women-led businesses announced they will contribute $7,500 to the organization to help buy school supplies.
“On behalf of An Achievable Dream’s boards of directors, staff, faculty, and most importantly, our students and families, I express our gratitude as a recipient of the Spirit of Virginia Award. Thirty years after our founding, we are proud of the work An Achievable Dream continues to do through our innovative partnership with our school division partners. We are so grateful for our community of supporters,” An Achievable Dream President and CEO Dr. Lee Vreeland said.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Spirit of Virginia Award” by Suzanne Youngkin.
