The Advancement Via Individual Determination or (AVID) program was started at Wheeler High School in 2017 by the Rotary Club of East Cobb to assist students who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education and/or may become the first members of their families to attend college.
The Cobb County School District announced this week that 13 Wheeler seniors in the current AVID program have been accepted to college and have received more than $5 million in scholarship offers.
In addition to rigorous coursework, AVID students also receive additional academic, social, and emotional support as they prepare for college.
“One of the AVID seniors earned millions in scholarships and another more than $350,000 in scholarships. Two other AVID graduates totaled up $40,000 and $37,000 in scholarship offers,” the district announced in press release.
“After graduating from Wheeler, the AVID students plan to major in sports medicine, political science, biology, forensic science, psychology, chemistry, international business, and more. One is set on being a pediatric surgeon, while another aims for law school.”
The students recently met with Rotary Club members, who have donated more than $60,000 since the program started.
“We all migrated from Nigeria to the U.S. to chase the American dream, student Amblessed said. “It’s a lot of pressure because we traveled all this way, but we have to succeed. I was under a lot of stress.”
AVID teacher Rachel Lewis told the Rotarians that “you are singlehandedly providing them with an opportunity they would not have otherwise had, and I thank you for that.”
AVID began with two students, and reached 90 this year. The district said 67 rising freshmen have already applied to be part of the program in the fall.
“I’m really grateful for every single person and the [Wheeler] program and teaching staff, everyone and all the people that have supported us,” Wheeler senior Ayomide said. “It’s been some of the greatest years of my life.”
Related posts:
- Kell HS senior earns $30K ‘For Atlanta’ scholarship
- McCleskey MS holds international night event
- Walton, Wheeler students earn National Merit Scholarships
- Brumby principal retiring; Sprayberry architect approved
- Cobb schools FY 23 budget includes ‘highest salary increase ever’
- Cobb school board to hold public hearings on FY23 budget
- Brumby ES unveils ‘The Aku Mural’ for community use
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
