AVID seniors encouraged to capitalize on created opportunities, find strong connections and to stay organized

May 6, 2019

A record number of graduating seniors who participated in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program were honored recently at a pinning ceremony. There were 203 seniors eligible to participate in the ceremony.

Held at Largo High, the seniors were encouraged by Superintendent Michael Grego, Clearwater High School Principal Keith Mastorides and recent Northeast High School graduate Desiree Rivas.

 Dr. Grego told the students to capitalize on the opportunities they have created for themselves.

“Reach back to the skills you have learned in AVID and utilize them,” Grego said. “Thank you for making us proud and continue to stay connected to your schools and this community.”

Mastorides told the seniors to “find the connections and pieces you need to be successful."

Rivas detailed how she uses those AVID skills during her first year of college. She said the most important skill she learned in AVID was organizing her time.  “Organization not only helps to make school more efficient but it makes you a better student,” Rivas said.

In addition to the students receiving their AVID pins, Stephanie Pawlowicz of Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School was named the AVID Coordinator of the Year; Jessica Scott of Meadowlawn Middle School was named the AVID Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Guedye St. Jean of East Lake High School was named the AVID High School Teacher of the year.

In order to participate in the AVID pinning ceremony, seniors had to be in the program for at least two years and have taken at least three AP and/or Dual Enrollment classes and four weighted classes during their high school career. A 3.0 or better unweighted GPA had to be maintained and the senior must have been accepted to a four-year university or the military. In addition, 25 hours of community services had to be completed.

 AVID is a program that takes students with the potential and determination to go to college and places them in the rigorous courses required to get into a four-year university. In the AVID elective course, students are taught the skill sets necessary to be successful in those rigorous courses. These skills include solid note-taking, organization, public speaking and responsibility.

View the seniors and awardees below.