Remembering the Legacy and Passion of Achievable Dream Founder Walter Segaloff
Written by Alison Johnson
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On Aug. 18, the local educational pioneer suddenly was, felled by a heart attack at 82 while at the gym for an early morning workout.
The founder of An Achievable Dream schools in Newport News, Va.—a unique program that has changed the lives of thousands of economically disadvantaged children—was a constant source of passion, wit, humor and “What if?” questions, respectfully challenging the status quo and everyone around him, colleagues and friends say.
“I think he changed the paradigm in education,” says McKinley Price, mayor of Newport News. “He showed people that with proper funding and proper motivation, and with teachers who have a desire to put forth extra effort and love, that students from any background can achieve and be successful.”
Segaloff created Achievable Dream in 1992, reaching out to kids who often came from poor, single-family households. A former chief executive officer of women’s specialty stores, he found that many applicants for minimum-wage jobs lacked basic reading, writing and speaking skills. “It was an enormous waste of brainpower,” he said in a 2012 interview. “There was no ‘American Dream’ for these children.”
Achievable Dream, a public-private partnership within the Newport News public school system, began as a small summer program and has grown to serve 1,200 students from elementary to high school. A second location will open in Virginia Beach, Va., in 2014, starting with kindergarten through second grade and adding a grade level each year. Eventually, school leaders hope to offer the program in localities throughout the region.
With a longer school day—8 1/2 hours—students take a range of classes outside traditional academics, including ethics, etiquette, conflict resolution, financial know-how and tennis lessons. They wear uniforms, begin each day with a firm handshake with an adult, tour college campuses and sign pledges to avoid crime, drugs and pregnancy. About 95 percent of graduates have gone on to college, with the other five percent deciding on the military or technical school.
[quote]“He was like my dad. What he accomplished with that school is worthy of the Medal of Honor. He was the epitome of giving back.”[/quote]“His vision and work opened doors to many opportunities for students,” says Ashby Kilgore, superintendent of Newport News Public Schools. “He will leave a legacy of passion, action and shaping beautiful futures.”
Segaloff had a dry sense of humor and a tremendous work ethic, obsessively taking notes and often returning emails at 4 a.m., says Dave McGillivray, director of the Boston Marathon, who became a close friend after Segaloff asked him to help organize a fundraising race. The Run for The Dream 8K and Half Marathon in Williamsburg, Va., now a popular annual event, also benefits the Wounded Warriors.
“I never wanted to disappoint him,” McGillivray says. “He was like my dad. What he accomplished with that school is worthy of the Medal of Honor. He was the epitome of giving back.”
Guided by a belief that one person can make a difference in the world, Segaloff also was passionate about honoring military veterans past and present and supporting the state of Israel. He is survived by his wife, Ann, two sons, three stepchildren and seven grandchildren.
Not surprisingly, Segaloff told Achievable Dream colleagues that he didn’t want a memorial fund or scholarship in his name, says Amy Ritchie, the school’s public relations and marketing director. “He specifically said that when ‘the event’ happened, he wanted us to tell people just to give to the annual fund,” Ritchie says.
Those who loved him say his legacy will live forever.
“Walter, I’m not done with you yet,” McGillivray says. “Your race will go on forever. You will never, ever be forgotten.”