Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students celebrate AVID Day on Sept. 12
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students celebrate AVID Day on Sept. 12
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students celebrated AVID Day on Sept. 12 by reflecting on the reasons why they appreciate being part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program.
Students responded to the hashtag of #MyAVIDWhy by thinking about how they have grown after being a part of AVID, which is offered as an elective at the middle school and high school. By taking the elective, students learn how to become more successful in school by developing skills that help them study efficiently, take notes, remain attentive in class, and manage their time.
Students in Jill Ruggiero’s AVID class were being encouraged to give back to their community on a recent September day by signing up to volunteer on Oct. 5th for the Colonial School District Foundation’s Foundation Day event. Service learning is encouraged as a way to give back, since AVID students benefit from the generosity of others. The Foundation provides funding each year for AVID students to visit area colleges and learn about the college application process.
Eleventh-grader Aliviyah Grantham said the college preparation portion of the program has been a benefit for her.
“Because of AVID, I have been exposed to a wide range of colleges,” she said.
Other students noted how far they have come thanks to the study and organizational skills they have learned. Grace O’Neil, Danielle Fleming, McKaela Nace, and Justus Lee all cited being more organized as a positive outcome.
“I’m grateful for the AVID program,” said Justus.
In addition to study skills and college preparation, some students explained that AVID has helped them develop as students and as people.
“Because of AVID, I grew into a better person, I’m more mature,” said Patrick Boakye, 11th-grader.
Holding a sign she had made with a drawing of a tree and the word “growth” behind it, Mia Rost reflected on her experiences in AVID.
“Because of AVID, I have grown a lot socially, academically and in so many different ways and I’m so thankful for it,” said the 11th-grader.
AVID is a nation-wide initiative and the national non-profit partners with over 7,400 schools to equip educators and inspire students with the skills and confidence to thrive in a global society. Colonial School District was the first district in Pennsylvania to adopt the program in 2007.
