NMHS Celebrates AVID Students with AVI Awards
Posted on 06/07/2022
Students in New Manchester High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program were honored Thursday night during the school’s annual AVI Awards Celebration.
During the ceremony, students in the program received their stoles and chords for graduation along with a couple more gifts from local sponsors and the school’s AVID site team to help them continue practicing the skills they learned in the AVID Program.
“I would like to acknowledge all of our AVID students and our AVID site team members for participating in and contributing to our AVID fundraisers,” said Tahira Chandler, NMHS’ AVID Coordinator. “Because of your fundraising efforts, every AVID senior will go home with an Amazon Fire Tablet and an Amazon Echo Dot.”
During the program, students also gave speeches where many expressed their gratitude to Chandler, other NMHS teachers and the AVID Program for helping keep them on the right track toward graduation and college during their high school years.
“I cannot say how glad I am that AVID has supported me through my high school years,” said Autumn Drummond. “It has been more than just notebook checks and high level questions, AVID was and is about challenging myself to be better and planning the future I want and not following in anyone else’s footsteps.”
Like Drummond, DeSean Glanton also thanked the program and its site team members for their help throughout his four years at NMHS to help him take the next step toward achieving his goals.
“I give thanks to Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Chandler for not only saving my life, but pushing me to be better not only for AVID and for my family, but for myself,” said Glanton. “I have zero regrets, and I thank God, my parents, my coaches and AVID. Thank you for turning a broken, misguided little boy into an educated and motivated young man.”
This year, NMHS saw 34 seniors graduate from the program in good standing. Six of those students received full-ride scholarships, 11 received HOPE Scholarships, three were Zell Miller Scholars, two students enlisted in the United States Navy, and three more had been accepted to over 20 colleges around the country.
“Our goal in NMHS AVID is to make sure our graduates are Enrolled, Enlisted or Employed (the 3 E's) when they exit the AVID program. This year we have 34 NMHS AVID seniors,” said Chandler. “These students are completely and utterly amazing! All have met one of the 3 E's and we could not be more proud.”