Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary's 16th AVID Conference

CARLSBAD HI-NOON ROTARY’S 16TH ANNUAL AVID CAREER CONFERENCE

Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary (CHNR) created and implemented the 16th Annual AVID (Advancement Via Individualized Determination) Career Conference at the Carlsbad Women’s Center for 45 Carlsbad students. The AVID conference is designed to provide AVID students an opportunity to meet, to hear and to interact with a variety of adult professionals who provide their perspectives about goal-setting, college facts, work communications and ethics.

AVID is a class taught at Carlsbad schools to help prepare students who are the first generation in their families to consider attending college. The juniors and seniors attending were from Carlsbad High School. The format of the day included a continental breakfast, keynote presentations, luncheon and interactive discussions.

David Martinez, a CHS AVID graduate himself, who currently serves as a public defender investigator, provided some memorable quotes during his presentation:

• “Be comfortable being uncomfortable” as you move through your life toward your goals.
• “Get off your high horse.”
• “Comfort zones are like anchors keeping us down.”
• “Success comes from preparation.”
• “Be thankful!”

Also speaking was Mark Ealy, CPA and CFP, CEO of Wealth Management Group, who discussed his challenging experiences rising from his hard upbringing in Detroit, describing his steps to his current roles and family life.

The AVID instructors selected the top three AVID students who were also honored with recognition and certificates. AVID honorees from Carlsbad High School: Eli Reyes a senior interested in journalism, Lizbeth Ortega who will be focusing on nursing and senior Cassie Baines who plans to study psychology.

Christian Chapman, also a CHS and SDSU graduate and Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotarian, chaired this conference leading his team: Mary Fritz-Wilson, Maureen Simons, Richard Weston, Paul Kartzke, Maureen Taylor, Beth Garrow and Velyn Anderson.

Carlsbad HI-Noon Rotary Club members work together to provide “Service Above Self” in Carlsbad. For further information: www.carlsbadhinoonrotary.org for membership information.