Tony Lewis is a truly remarkable young man. He did not come to Blue Ridge School from a family that was well-off and able to provide him with all of the benefits of a typical college preparatory school student. Yet, this young man possessed the drive and determination to accept the challenge that faced him and to acquire the skills and learning needed to pursue his dream of attending a respected college. He knew it would take a considerable effort on his part to earn the grades that would help open those doors, and he trusted his teachers to provide the help and support that he would need. It did not take long before the Blue Ridge faculty became keenly aware of both Tony’s commitment and intelligence. Fortunately, within a short time he was on his way to realizing the hope and the dream that he had fostered during his childhood years.
During one point in Tony’s time at Blue Ridge School, he became keenly interested in the world of business, finance, marketing, and hospitality, which he saw as possible careers. Each of these required leadership skills which would need to be developed. Fortunately, perhaps without fully realizing it, Tony had begun to foster those very leadership skills he would need to reach his goals, as he assumed the responsibility of a dormitory prefect for looking after and nurturing the younger boys in his dorm. The faculty member who lived on Tony’s dormitory hall quickly realized that he had a young man whose ability to set a good example for his peers could also help facilitate a comfortable and well-functioning community. Tony cared about the quality of life on his hall and about the wellbeing of his fellow students, and he quickly became their respected and appreciated friend and mentor.
When looking back on his years as a Blue Ridge School student, Tony remembers what he calls the “high diversity” of the student body, which allow him to interact with a wide variety of young men of different races, nationalities, opinions, and interests, all of which helped him broaden his perspectives and understandings of the world and its people well beyond the boundaries of his hometown. These friendships have endured over the many years following his graduation.
After successfully completing his years in college, Tony faced a big decision. Should he look for a career in finance or education? One of his neighbors in Fredericksburg who had been in education for many years and had risen to the position of superintendent in the public school system of that city, strongly encourage Tony to become a teacher. Thus, the dye was cast in what now appears to be a likely lifetime pursuit.
After college, Tony returned to his hometown where he has taught high school classes for nearly a decade. During that time, he pursued a master’s in business administration with an educational leadership endorsement, and as of this writing, he is being considered for a principalship in the Fredericksburg school system.
