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First AVID Program Graduates Honored at May 20 Reception

May 21, 2010

Plano ISD's first graduating seniors who are enrolled in the AVID(Advancement Via Individual Determination) program were honored at a reception held on May 20 at Collin College.

PWSH AVID Students

Plano West AVID seniors Diana Tirado, Bruna Tavares and Walter Neto enjoyed the May 20 reception together. "All the experiences I've had in the AVID program throughout my years have led me to find my full potential and exceed in both life and education," said Walter.

"Endless Possibilities" was the theme at the event which was attended by approximately 300 guests, including 50 AVID seniors, their family members, teachers, program coordinators, principals and district administrators. Student speeches and graduation presentations highlighted the evening reception.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

Many of the AVID seniors have attended the program since their eighth or ninth grade year when Plano schools began implementing the national program whose mission is to ensure that all students, and most especially the least served students in the middle:

will succeed in a rigorous curriculum,
will complete a rigorous college preparatory path,
will enter mainstream activities of the school,
will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and
will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

Plano Senior High School AVID event guests included (back row) Shanique Thomas, Cyndy Owallah, Aimée Ratliff, Yareli Vazquez, Traci Borsattino and Alex Wilkinson, and (front row) Principal Dr. Doyle Dean & Jackie Dillon.

Kristin Anderson, Plano ISD AVID cooordinator, said that all of the seniors have been accepted to colleges and universities. "They have earned more than $700,000 in scholarships, grants and loans. We hope that this amount will continue to increase over the next few weeks," she said. "These students have worked so hard over the past four years to reach this level of success."

AVID Stories of Triumph

Several seniors were chosen by their classmates to speak at the May 20 reception. Here are a few of their stories.

'I Am Not Afraid'

Ashley and father Bertha Salmeron told guests, "I am not afraid to go to a different city that's far from my home here in Plano to attend college. Mainly because I have learned how to socialize, AVID has helped me overcome my fears in communicating with different people." Read Bertha's full speech .

Bertha is pictured with her mother Margarita and brother Alexis.

'We Have Successfully Made It'

Plano West Senior Ashley Garner, who will attend SMU in the fall to major in corporate communications of public affair and minor in Spanish, said AVID taught her to set goals. "I'm ready to take the next steps in life because my goals are clear and well defined," she said. Ashley's speech to event guests centered on the bright future she and fellow AVID students have because of the program. Read Ashley's full speech .

Ashley Garner, PWSH, is pictured with her father Lynn Garner.

'First Generation College Student'

"As a first generation college student, I prayed that I would somehow figure out the puzzle that was my future. Then in the eighth grade, like an answer to my prayers, I learned of a new program that was starting named AVID," said Yareli Vazquez. "In our (mine and my parents') country, it is a rare privilege to get an education. In the United States, it's a right. Take advantage of it." Read Yareli's full speech .

Plano East AVID Seniors

A few Plano East AVID seniors posed for a group photo.

'Land of Opportunity'

"A few years ago, I cam to the 'land of opportunity,'" said Shanique Thomas. "It was a new life I wasn't ready for...AVID was my light at the end of the tunnel....I want to help people just as AVID did for me." Read Shanique's full speech .

Senior Shanique Thomas (center), PSHS, is pictured with family members.

'AVID is My Second Family'

"I feel like I have fit in somewhere," Monica Raofpur told event guests. "These AVID classmates have grown into being like brothers and sisters to me. I feel very close to every one of them...AVID really is my second family. Read Monica's full speech .

AVID staff

AVID Coordinator Kristin Anderson (left) is pictured with Susan Modisette, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, Amy Henderson and Kecia Theodore.

AVID Faculty & Staff

Senior High Schools

Plano East		Anne Rodgers, coordinator Jeff Jackson, coordinator
Plano		Aimee Ratliff, coordinator Jackie Dillon
Plano West		Allison Morrow, coordinator

High Schools

Clark		Lauren Wallace, coordinator Megan Collier
Shepton		Gina Blankenship, coordinator
Vines		Traci Borsattino, coordinator Holly Hunt
Williams		LeaAnn Ross, coordinator

Middle Schools

Armstrong		Susan Saviano, coordinator
Bowman		Mike Abney, coordinator
Carpenter		Treesia Brannon, coordinator
Frankford		Karyn Wynne, coordinator Michelle Poovey
Haggard		Angie Helenberger, coordinator
Hendrick		Coryn Prince, coordinator
Murphy		Susan Burgess, coordinator
Renner		Erin Allred, coordinator
Wilson		Shannon Bruce, coordinator

District Coordinator		Kristin Anderson