AVID Superstars

AVID showcases students who are standouts in their classrooms, schools and communities. These AVID Superstars exemplify what it means to be a leader and an exceptional student. Check back every month to learn about two more AVID Superstars.

If you would like to nominate a student to be an AVID Superstar, please fill out the following form and return to Devon Tolliver, dtolliver@avidcenter.org, along with a high resolution digital photo and a signed photo release form on page two of the nomination form.

AVID Superstars: Student Nomination Form
AVID Superstars: Student Nomination Form
Photo Release Form

July 2010 Superstars

Marian Pavlovich, UCLA

AVID, since the seventh grade has armed me with the essential knowledge and resources to help prepare me for college. Had it not been for AVID and its outstanding teachers I would not have been able to reach my dream of pursuing a higher degree at UCLA."

Marian exemplifies the very best of the AVID program. She has taken advantage of opportunities presented her beginning in 7th grade with the San Diego Padres Scholarship. She has maintained her dream of attaining a college education and she is well on her way to fulfilling her career goals as well. She has a sense of purpose and is determined to make a difference in this world.

Cesar Bautista, North Johnston HS

AVID has really impacted my life. It has helped improve my grades and my future. I am really thankful to be in AVID. It has changed my outlook toward my education."

With the help of AVID, Cesar will be the first member of his family to go to college and he is proud of that accomplishment. Cesar is a leader in the school. He leads class discussion, plays for the school soccer team, and actively pursues challenging endeavors that will make him better. Cesar chooses to take rigorous honors coursework because he knows that it will help him in college. He is a tremendous classmate, teammate, and school leader.

June 2010 Superstars

Tsion Fikre, Marston MS

AVID has given me hope and has made me realize that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!"

Tsion is an overall fabulous student and AVID superstar for many reasons. Tsion comes to class ready to learn and always prepared for the day's events. Her eagerness to learn is phenomenal. Tsion tackles any and all assignments with dedication and passion. She never allows obstacles to slow her down and always remains optimistic about her educational future. Tsion is kind and courteous to her peers and always displays the utmost respect for her educators. She is a leader in her classroom and around campus, setting an example of what it means to be an AVID student.

Christopher Santiago, Steinmetz Academic Centre

AVID gives you the advantages for the future; guides you through the victory road; teaches you how college is going to sharpen your intelligence; and directs our lives to the future, which is the most important thing, after all."

AVID teacher Ralph R. Basile was the person that recruited Chris Santiago into AVID last year. Chirs was reluctant at first to come, but after thinking about, and talking it over with his parent, he decided to join. Since the beginning of the year, he has taken to AVID as a fish in water. He has a superior binder, and maintains it on a daily basis. He is always attentive in class, and curious about information he does not know about. Chris is always helping people out. He sets up the room for tutorials on Tuesdays and Thursdays by moving the desks around and has helped out tutoring the 9th grade class when needed. Chris exhibits an attitude of wanting to learn and is service-oriented. What a combination!

May 2010 Superstars

Heather Arnold, Pedro Menendez HS

The high expectations of the AVID program have created a path that will lead me to success."

Heather Arnold is an inquisitive student who is always polite and respectful. She listens very carefully and thinks about what is said. She exhibits a combination of tenacity and patience that is seldom seen in tenth graders. Heather has demonstrated patience and improved her grades by applying the skills taught in the AVID curriculum. She is a leader in her academic classes as well as the AVID elective. She takes a leadership role in tutorials and the other students look to her for guidance.

Mario Saldivar, Newhart MS

AVID has impacted my life by helping me to understand education and my path to college. I have developed relationships with other AVID students and the things I have learned in AVID make me excited about my future."

Mario Saldivar began his sixth grade year at Newhart Middle School failing many of his classes and struggling behaviorally. In the seventh grade, Mario entered the "Interventions Program" and was able to turn it around by achieving all passing grades, and graduating from the "Interventions Program." Mario won the Capistrano Unified School District Award for Outstanding Achievement in March 2009. In addition to that achievement, Mario ran for and became the ASB President for his eighth grade year of 2009-2010. Through Mario's hard work and determination, he was chosen to enter the AVID program and is a successful role model to all students at Newhart Middle School.

April 2010 Superstars

Leticia Granados, Federal Way HS

AVID has impacted my life in different ways. Without AVID, I couldn't have survived high school. AVID has prepared me for my future and beyond."

Leticia was an "A" student with a GPA of 3.82, who took Pre-AP Biology, English and World History, and was a leader and inspiration to many! She would have been the first one in her family to attend college! Leticia was a junior who had leukemia. She was treated for this cancer for three years, but this did not interfere with her determination to pursue her dreams and attend college, be a role model for her younger brother, or make her mother proud. Her regular Friday chemotherapy treatments resulted in hair loss, fatigue and general illness, but she was not deterred from making school her top priority. Letty, as she was called by her immediate family as well as her AVID family, maintained an "A" average the last three years, even though her treatments affected her attendance. She was also an honor roll student each year. Letty was an AVID reader, AVID learner, and AVID communicator. Not only did she touch the lives of her family, amazingly she inspired and touched the lives of her Federal Way High School family, as well as her community. Her intrepid demeanor gave numerous students the desire to support her and the hope to fulfill their goals. As the recipient of the Sparrow Club (a project in which students help students with a life-threatening illness by doing community service and fundraising), over 200 students showed up on community service day and donated over 1,300 hours of time to her and her family. The last school week in December, before our holiday break, her doctors were determined that there was nothing else they could do for this 16 year old. An incredible "mock graduation" assembly took place on Friday, December 18, 2009. The superintendent, principal, ASB officers, her AVID class, and the Federal Way High School family wore pink (her favorite color) and packed the gym to graduate Leticia with distinctive cords, an honor roll medallion, leis galore, and her diploma. She was escorted by two of her male classmates to "Pomp and Circumstance" and was surrounded by her AVID class. This incredible event was captured by local TV news media. This was "among the most poignant, inspirational event I ever witnessed," said AVID coordinator, Karin Weberg. Leticia lost her battle on January 13 and though she is gone, she will always be remembered for her determination. Leticia Granados, an AVID Superstar!

Olatunde Oniya, George Bush HS

In order for you to reach places you have never been, you must do things you have never done."

Last year was the first time that George Bush High School (BHS) had an AVID Club president in the four years AVID has been implemented. The first president had good ideas but they were never implemented. When Olatunde "Tunde" Oniya was elected this year, his teacher Herman Burns was skeptical. "Tunde is a student whose behavior in class did not always demonstrate the qualities of a president to me," says Burns. "I was taken aback by his determination and drive to create a college going culture and to brand AVID as one of the best organizations at BHS." Tunde has set up beatification projects at the school and in the community. At the school, approximately 170 students spent their own time on a Saturday morning cleaning and painting the school. In the community he had AVID partner with Habitat for Humanity to paint a house in the community. He has increased enrollment in the club. The program had an established monthly College T-shirt Day; however, Tunde turned it into a game show with prizes during lunch. Olatunde "Tunde" Oniya has become a great President that is always trying to find new and exciting ways to promote a college going culture at BHS. For the first time in four years, AVID has changed from that college course that "Mr. Burns" teaches to a well know college preparatory course that numerous students want to be in. Tunde is an asset to the AVID Organization and his community.

March 2010 Superstars

Ethan Fowler, Newsome HS

The AVID program has made high school a much easier time in my life. This program has made a difference by requiring me to be more structured in academics. I have also seen a difference outside of school, in my leadership abilities. I will always remember the experiences that I have had as a part of the AVID program."

Ethan is a remarkable student who exemplifies the AVID mentality, Advancement Via Individual Determination. He came into the AVID program as a sophomore and I have watched him develop into a leader over the past two years. He is the AVID Club President, and runs a club with over 80 contributing members. He is an academic leader, who is constantly pushing himself to achieve at higher levels. He is a mentor to other students, helping them whenever possible.

Ieesha Griffin, Harding University HS

AVID has exposed me to options: options for college, study, and professions. It challenged me to dig into my personality and find out what works for me."

Ieesha has a strong work ethic and desire to learn. Ieesha is one of the most intelligent, polite, and responsible students I know. There is no doubt in my mind that she will go far in life. I truly believe that the contributing factors of Ieesha's success are her love for reading and her organizational skills. She also excels in her analytical skills, as I have noticed as her AP English teacher. Ieesha accepts all challenges without complaining and completes all tasks successfully as a result. Ieesha's well-rounded nature makes her the ideal student.

February 2010 Superstars

Melissa Raygoza, Holland MS

When I came to a fork in the road, AVID gave me the map I needed to find my path for success."

Melissa is an 8th grade AVID student, who is in her second year in our program. She is caring and selfless, but this year she has gone above and beyond all of my expectations. Melissa was in my Algebra class last year, earned an A and scored proficient (404) on the CST test. She should have been in Geometry this year, but due to a district personnel change, and resulting change in pre-requisites, was returned to Algebra. She was heartbroken, especially as her two best friends were in Geometry, and had every right to complain, feel sorry for herself, and let up. She has, however, done just the opposite. She is a student/peer tutor in this year's 7th grade Algebra class, working with five of my girls. Melissa also volunteers three hours a week in my afterschool Algebra tutoring program, often staying beyond the 3:45 end time to help the girls "get it!" I recently lost two of my college tutors, and knew exactly where to go. Melissa agreed to step into one of our 7th grade AVID classes as a cross-age tutor, and has been exceptional! She is the vice president of our AVID student council, and did a lot of work behind the scenes to help Holland become the newest National Demonstration School on Monday, December 14th. As you can see, Melissa truly is an AVID superstar!

Gonzalo Lopez, O'Banion MS / South Garland HS

AVID believes in me. The high grades are thanks to the AVID strategies that I am being taught. Even though I came from another country seeking a better life, AVID tells me - I will succeed no matter what!"

Gonzalo is an AVID superstar because he uses his quest for excellence to serve his community. Even though he is only a freshman as South Garland, he has accumulated over 43 community service hours. His grades are outstanding and he continuously strives to be a better person and better student. It is as though AVID has provided Gonzalo with the desire to hone his skills and pursue excellence in life, in school, and in his community. He is one of those students who makes you want to be a better teacher.

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