The AVID Signing Ceremony Celebrates Success
May 24, 2019 -- The May 14 Heights High AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) signing ceremony recognized the students' hard work during high school and celebrated their college acceptance.
The national program has been a staple at Heights High for more than a dozen years and is designed for college going students.
The event for seniors is patterned after the signing ceremonies for athletes where students publically and proudly announce where they will continue their education.
At the AVID ceremony, each of the 33 graduating seniors spoke from the podium to announce their intended destination but to also talk about the power of the AVID program and to thank their teachers, families, and peers.
The AVID teachers also speak at the event and talk about how proud they are of the students and to remind them that they are loved. The entire event is filled with love - nearly every speaker talked about the strong bond, and the love, that they have for others in the program and how that helped them conquer barriers and work hard.
That feeling and support is part of the power of AVID and the reason for student success. It is driven by AVID staff who are passionate about students success and serving students.
The AVID program is an elective class and includes tutorials, organizational skill development, college tours and a cohort model that keeps a group of students and a teacher together for their high school years.
The AVID program has been proven to increase college readiness, preparedness, and retention when compared to the national averages. AVID teachers use research-based best practices. AVID was established 30 years ago and more than 800,000 students in 44 states use the curriculum.
CH-UH students in Heights Middle Schools, Noble, and Oxford also participate in the AVID program.
Class of 2019 Heights High AVID College Destinations
Davon Beane' Tennessee State
Jalon Blue Hiram College
Jaylen Bush Walsh University
Joshua Harris Findlay University
Breya Hinton Ohio National Guard/Central State
Tatiyana Hughkeith Tri-C
Nigel Martin Shaw University
Robert Morgan Fork Union Military Academy
Javaya Perry Bowling Green
Xavier Pillar Mount Union
Amarie Pollard Tri-C
Jacqueline Rosales Tri-C
Brandon Searight Tiffin University
Taylorr Thomas Hampton University
Jae'lyn Withers University of Louisville
Curtis Wright Otterbein
Diamond Booker Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising
Jasha Brown University of Cincinnati
Dasia Burks University of Cincinnati
Isaiah Butler Marine Corp
Delilah Campbell Tri- C
Myles Coleman Tri-C
Jamaria Fisher Tri-C
Heaven Hayes Clark Atlanta University
Elijah Hodge Theil University
Desi James Undecided
Jae-la Johnson University of Cincinnati
Nolan Johnson Walsh University
Douglas McKenzie Ohio State
Jaden Thomas Mount Aloysius
La'Nay Woodson Lakeland Community College