The Fremont High School gym was full of beaming faces, happy tears and students cheering each other on. Banners displaying different colleges and universities lined the walls.
The FHS Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program senior celebration was held on May 21 to honor the students who worked so hard to get to their high school graduation and beyond.
The AVID program is geared toward students in need of an extra push to reach their full potential. Many of them are the first in their families to aim for a college education.
FHS has the highest number of AVID classes in the district at eight, with two at each grade level. All 44 students in the senior AVID classes are pursuing a college education, and many have already been accepted.
Science teacher Michelle Wagner commended each of the students for not giving up.
“In AVID we talk a lot about the word resiliency, which is the ability to persevere and be tough and have grit and get through things,” Wagner said. “And all of you are in AVID because you are resilient, and you’re going to college because of your resiliency.”
Some plan to attend local community colleges first then transfer, others are diving head first into four-year universities.
Letters from AVID teachers were read and awards were given to a stand-out student from each AVID class during the event.
Sophomore AVID teacher Stephanie Fujii and her family gave the first ever AVID scholarship to senior Adiaratou Ba who has been accepted and plans to attend UC Santa Cruz.
A student from each senior AVID class gave a speech on what the program has meant to them throughout their high school experience.
Melissa Parlan, a student in Elise Nahum’s senior AVID class, plans to attend community college then transfer to San Francisco State. For her, AVID has been a transformative experience.
“From being a timid and shy freshman to blossoming into a confident soon-to-be high school graduate, I can say I’ve changed for the better,” she said. “We have all learned how to be our true selves, be proud of who we are as well as what we dream to be. A lot of my change came from my experience in AVID.”
She shared knowledge that the program has taught her in the two years she was involved.
“During my time in AVID, I’ve definitely developed a new mindset and perspective on school and the world,” she said. “Nothing good ever comes out of laziness, success never comes without the willingness to work hard and true greatness only comes out of truly learning from your experiences.”
Maybelle Alcantara from the other senior AVID class headed by Monica Schuet said her high school experience would not have been the same without AVID.
“Over the years I’ve been in AVID, I’ve learned to accept my mistakes and move on,” she said. “It’s how you rise up from your mistakes that defines who you are. In AVID I’ve learned to stay humble, stay grounded and be myself.”
She attested to the family her AVID class had become, headed of course, by none other than “Mama Schuet.”
“We’ve laughed, cried and we’ve formed a strong bond as an AVID family that will never be broken or forgotten,” Alcantar said.
Elise Nahum, an AVID teacher for eight years, explained the impact her student family has had on her.
“Our relationship is more than just me being your teacher and you my students,” she said. “There are lessons that of course I tried to teach you as a teacher, but honestly the program and being with you has been about so much more.”
She recognized her students for overcoming obstacles and hardship.
“We’re here today to celebrate the AVID seniors and their success because the past four years were full of challenges,” she said. “What you’ve had to face and struggle through, I know it would have been easy to give up and I’m so very proud of you for never giving up. You have done it.”
Lastly, Schuet, a first year AVID teacher, stepped up to the podium to honor her students.
“Throughout this year I have come to witness firsthand not just the hard work and determination of these young adults, but the truly exceptional character of each and every one of them,” she said. “They have stood by each other in times of need, willing to do whatever it takes to help one another, whether simply offering a hug, sometimes a shoulder to cry on or a much needed pep talk.”
She alluded to the growth she has seen in her class.
“They have fought for what they believe in as individuals, refusing to allow others to decide their worth or dictate who or what they may become,” she said. “They have picked themselves back up when they have had moments of doubt, dug deeply and rekindled their purpose and passion. Throughout it all they have displayed maturity and often wisdom beyond their years.”
With the conclusion of her speech, Schuet was engulfed in a group hug by all the members of her class and a few sniffles could be heard from the audience.
For more information on the AVID program, visit avid.org.
