By building the 2011 Homearama Charity House to benefit the TBA Scholarship Foundation, Michael Newsome is carrying on a family tradition that began in 1966 when his father, Howard Weisberg, built the first Scholarship House to create a funding base for what would later become one of the largest private scholarship foundations in Virginia. He and Lee Ward from Clark Whitehill Enterprises are securing the future of the foundation as it celebrates the success of its recipients with the house named for 2004 Salem High School graduate Justin Kauflin. Kauflin is a jazz pianist on the road to a stellar musical career. He was chosen because he represents the perseverance of TBA scholarship recipients, many of whom must overcome major life challenges on the road to academic excellence. The home is one of nine custom showcase homes on display Oct. 15-30 at The Riverfront at Harbour View in Suffolk.

Kauflin was nurturing his musical talent when a rare eye disease took his vision at age 11. He graduated as co-valedictorian of his school class and the Governors School for the Arts. He also graduated from William Paterson University, where the legendary Clark Terry, winner of the 2010 Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz, mentored him.

“This is truly an honor for me that Tidewater Builders Association has chosen to involve me,” Kauflin said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this to continue to help them make dreams come true.” Kauflin will perform in the home from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 15, 22, and 29. Another scholarship recipient, Brittany Denig, will perform on the cello from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15.

Kauflin credits TBA’s scholarship and staff with helping him realize his dream. “My relationship with (TBA) has been a special one,” he said. “When I went away to school, they stayed in touch, which is something none of the other scholarship foundations did.” In turn, “I was able to give back in my own way…I was able to go and study and realize my dream of becoming a jazz musician.”

Proceeds from the sale of the house will benefit the scholarship foundation, which has provided $1.66 million in scholarship funds to 424 students. Many of the materials and much of the labor that went into the construction of the home was donated to the cause. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom, 3,721 square-foot Craftsman house features a brick, stone and HardiPlank exterior with a covered patio and a dramatic second-story balcony. Inside, it has soaring 19-foot vaulted ceilings in the master suite; a gourmet kitchen, a fireplace with floor-to-ceiling Craftsman-style stacked stone surround and entertainment bar with wine chiller.

In addition to Kauflin and Denig’s performances, visitors will also be able to learn first-hand how guide dogs do their work with demonstrations from Seeing Eye Inc. on from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Charity House.

About the TBA Scholarship Foundation

In 1965, several builders who founded TBA, including Newsome’s father, established the foundation. The program provides four-year scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence and service to the community. It also offers a Young Designers Scholarship Competition, which awards scholarships to students through a drafting and design competition.

It has been funded through the sale of Scholarship Houses, Scholarship Apartments and individual contributions.

“I have a staff and partners who work so hard to allow me to do the things I love, one of them is the Scholarship Foundation,” said Newsome. This marks the third Scholarship House built by Clark Whitehill Enterprises. Previous homes included the inaugural house in 1966 and again in 1990.

Charity House contributors

Thanks to the generous donations of services and time from the following companies and/or individuals, the home’s cost can be offset and more returned to the Scholarship Foundation.