May 19, 2023 -- The 10th annual AVID Signing Day on May 16 was a joyous occasion where 46 seniors proudly proclaimed where they will attend college in the fall. The ceremony is patterned after the athletic signing that many high schools host. But the AVID event is all about academics.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the ceremony is the pure joy and love that flows freely between the students and AVID teachers. Nearly every student speaker talked about the importance of their relationships with the AVID teachers and students and how much they have grown and appreciate the AVID support system.
The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program is an academic elective course that focuses on developing organization and study skills and includes academic tutoring, college visits, and support with the college application and financial aid process.
The ceremony featured speeches by AVID Valedictorian Cameron Goines; class representatives Eloni McClain, Chontez Harris, and Leslie Villed; AVID teachers, and Director of College & Career Readiness Bob Swaggard.
The three Heights High AVID teachers are Claudene McCoy (12th grade), Jill Pompei (9th & 10th grade), and Shawn Washington (9th & 11th grade), who is also the high school AVID Coordinator. Each teacher stays with a class for four years.
AVID is a national program that is also in the CH-UH middle schools and several elementary schools.
The Class of 2023 and their College Destinations and Major Fields of Study
Anastasia Acoff, University of Charleston - Psychology
Ke’Nya Andrews, University of Toledo - Mortuary Science
Justin Biggom, Siena Heights University - General Engineering
Aaliyah Blanchard, Tuskegee University - Psychology & Business
Nevaeh Braxter, Gap Year - Traveling abroad
Anya Bruce, University of Cincinnati - Health Science
Kendall Bumpers, Texas Southern University - Computer Science
Akyree Christopher
Zion Clark, Clark Atlanta University - Computer Engineering
Nadiah Culp, University of Cincinnati - Interior Design & Architecture
Jaden Davis-Coleman, Ohio University - Film
Tashara Deaver, University of Cincinnati
Ahmya Diggins, Rochester Institute of Technology - ASL/English Interpretation
Taylor Evans, The Ohio State University - Political Science & Education
Maxwell Frey, Case Western Reserve University - Computer Science
Taylor Gainer, Kent State University - Zoology
OIivia Gettis, Hampton University
Antonio Gibson, University of Akron - Marketing
Jordan Glover-Williams, Clark Atlanta University - Finance
Cameron Goines, The Ohio State University - Computer Engineering
Mariyah Gulley, University of Toledo
Chontez Harris, Clark Atlanta University - Real Estate
Makyah Hill, Fisk University - Biology
Naomi Houser, United States Air Force
Trinity Kimbro, Loyola University Chicago - Communications & Public Relations
Vanessa Lebowitz, Cleveland State University - Business
Micah Lovelace, University of Cincinnati - Psychology
Salaah Majid
Taylor Martin, Cleveland State University
Eloni McClain, Middleburg College - Anthropology (Pre-Law)
Jaiyah McFall, Howard University - Architecture & Interior Design
Rhyan Palmer, Cleveland State University - Digital Art
Quinnia Pratt, Akron University - Psychology
Mosijah Roye, University of Akron - Photojournalism
Jason Rush
Larry Shelton, Cleveland State University - Engineering
Melina Shelton, Cleveland State University - Transitional Nursing
Mekhi Simmons
Ashawn Sims, Colgate University - Graphic Design
Petyon Smith-Caffey, Penn State University - Pre-Med
Toni Trent, Central State University - Psychology
Leslie Villeda, Dominican University - Nursing
Langston White, Hampton University - Finance Major
Logan Williams, Kent State University - Animal Science
Leah Woodson, Cleveland State University - Criminology (Pre-Law)
Eli Wren, University of Cincinnati - Computer Science