CLASS OF
2022
GRADUATION NEWSLETTER
Congratulations from Dr. Sue Miklos As I look at each graduate and their hopes for the future, I am overwhelmed with happiness when I think of how far they have come with their academic success and in their personal lives. The future is already looking brighter for our graduates. Children in foster care are in the high risk category for dropping out of school. The abuse, neglect and separation has such an impact on our youth. Bair has been an integral support system through our foster families and case workers who pray for their success in every area. Many of our foster care families continue to support our graduates while they age out of the foster care system and begin to navigate into their adult life, giving them a support system like no other. That is what makes Bair stand out because we stand beside our kids. Thank you to the foster parents who said yes to giving our students who may have experienced multiple placements, abuse, rejection, a safe and loving environment. Thank you for giving them an environment where opportunities have been available to teach them about the love of Christ. The milestones that youth in foster care meet and exceed require more work and tenacity as well as a lot of encouragement and love from their families. Graduating is one more step to moving them out of the statistics and equipping them to accomplish more than what they could have imagined. We wish you the best, class of 2022!
Executive Director
Amanda Gonzalez Amanda graduated from Veterans Memorial Early College High School in Brownsville, Texas. She plans to attend Texas State Technical College to become a Dental Technician. Amanda’s foster parents are Marianela & Sergio Salinas from Bair’s Harlingen office.
Morgan Langdon Morgan graduated from Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to pursue a degree in social work. Morgan’s foster parents are Caleb and Patricia Klay from Bair’s Dayton office.
Ashonta"”Tae” Browne Ashonta graduated from Amherst County High School in Amherst, Virginia where he played varsity football. He plans to attend Central Virginia Community College to pursue a degree in welding. Ashonta’s foster parent is Kim Perez from Bair’s Lynchburg office.
Breighlyn Atwood Breighlyn graduated from Amherst County High School in Amherst, Virginia. She plans to attend Paul Mitchell School in Roanoke, Virginia to become a beautician. Breighlyn’s foster parent is Patricia Stacy from Bair’s Lynchburg office.
Iris Amanda Monzon-Gomez Amanda graduated from Garrad County High School in Lancaster, Kentucky. She plans to attend Bluegrass Community & Technical College to pursue a career as a police officer. Amanda’s foster parents are Bruce and Tammy Jeffries from Bair’s Lexington office.
Jacob Premick Jacob graduated from Hampton High School in Allison Park, Pennsylvania where he earned varsity letters in football, wrestling and track. He plans to attend Coastal Carolina University to pursue a degree in Business and Marketing. Jacob’s foster and adoptive parents are Chuck and Patresa Premick from Bair’s New Wilmington office.
Kamari McCullom Kamari graduated from Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, Virginia. He plans to pursue a career as a truck driver after graduation. Kamari’s foster parent is Kathleen Clarke from Bair’s Virginia Beach office.
90%
OF BAIR GRADUATES GO ON TO A COLLEGE, TECHNICAL SCHOOL OR
THE US ARMED SERVICES.
Solina Fieser Solina graduated from Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She plans to attend Tidewater Community College to pursue a degree in Forensics. Solina’s foster parents are Yolanda and Eugene Wiggins from Bair’s Virginia Beach office.
202 SCHOLARIP
SIENTCPR
Abbie Bussard was awarded a renewal scholarship of $800 for her sophomore year at Shippensburg University. Abbie is studying for her BSW in Social Work.
Abbie Bussard Jadyn Sposto received $2,400 and will be attending Radford University to pursue a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Jadyn Sposto Jacob Premick received $1,400 and will be attending Coastal Carolina University to pursue a degree in Business and Marketing.
Jacob Premick
The Ed Massey, Jr. S ch o larsh ip Fu n d
The Bair Foundation believes that every child deserves the chance to fulfill their dreams. The Edward B. Massey scholarship program was named after late board member Edward B. Massey, Jr. and is available to all Bair graduating seniors, and renewable each year. In addition to financial support, The Bair Foundation staff offer mentoring and send care packages to each scholarship recipient. On average over 90% of Bair seniors were accepted to a college, university or trade school. The scholarship fund offers hope to children who, despite the upheaval in their lives, have worked hard to achieve academic success. Among the many obstacles teens go through, our donors, families, and employees at Bair take the extra steps to show a light at the end of the tunnel. To help create a successful future for fostered youth, please visit bair.org/ donate to give securely online.
EXCERPT FROM
A WINNING
SCHOLARSHIP
ESSAY
“Definitely a tough childhood. Was forced to grow up fast. Too fast matter of fact. But when I was placed with my adoptive family, they let me know real quick that I wasn’t going anywhere. I was here to stay and it was great knowing that the bouncing around was finally over. The foster system helped me so much, rather than getting put in group homes every time I left a house. Foster care provides families willing to help young children out who maybe came up from traumatic past experiences or just didn’t have family there for them. My experience gave me two parents who loved me the second I walked through their door with my duffle bag of clothes. And I will forever be thankful for what foster care did for me... I am forever thankful for the system.”
bair.org
The Bair Foundation National Office • 241 High Street, New Wilmington, PA 16142 • (800) 543-7058 Support Foster Youth with a Tax-Deductible Contribution: bair.org/donate