There is a consistent theme from seven Stevenson seniors who are receiving full ride scholarships next year – AVID has truly paid off for them.

The seniors - Valentino Ghazala, Lacinya Zetouna, Valariana Gmerk, Logan Connon, Cameron Lasecki, Melissa Valle-Bletran, and Viola Yaldo – credit AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)- and its focus on organizational skills on preparing them for college was the difference maker that opened future doors.

“Valentino, Lacinya, Valariana, Logan, Cameron, Melissa, and Viola have all gone from students who only dreamed of college, to students who have now been accepted to four-year universities with full-ride scholarships,” said Stevenson AVID teacher Michael MacLeod.  “This is a fantastic testament to all of their hard work, and how valuable the AVID college supports have been.”

AVID is a national research-based program that stresses development in key areas of organization, study skills, and critical thinking. Over the past 13 years, the program has expanded to every Utica Community Schools secondary school.

For the students, AVID is the reason they are one stop closer to their career goal:

• Valerie Gmerk, studying health science at Wayne State University: “Mr. MacLeod has kept me focused on school and my grades. Without this program, I don’t think I would have gone as far as I have.”
• Lacinya Zetouna, studying dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy: “AVID has been incredibly helpful with everything, especially the application process. My teachers in general just try to make everyone the best they can be.”
• Viola Yaldo, studying Pre-Med at Oakland University: “AVID has really focused us on college and making sure we are making the right life choices and are organized for college before we get there.”
• Logan Connon, attending Grand Valley State University or Oakland University: “AVID creates the structure that I need to succeed.”
• Cameron Lasecki, who is attending Wayne State University with a currently undecided major: “AVID helped me apply to college. It is resourceful and really helpful.”
• Valentino Ghazala, attending University of Detroit Mercy with the goal of becoming an optometrist: “AVID kept me organized and improved my grades.”
• Melissa Valle-Beltran, attending the University of Detroit Mercy with the goal of going into medicine, said "being in AVID has prepared for the challenges awaiting me in the future, and that's thanks to all the great AVID teachers I have had."

The seven students who earned the full ride scholarships represent a third of the Stevenson seniors enrolled in AVID.