Avondale Academy students making future plans reality

Students at Avondale School District’s alternative high school, Avondale Academy in Rochester Hills, took a step toward making their future plans reality when they committed to post-secondary plans during the school’s annual iDecided Decision Day celebration. “This is an important event for the students,” said Academy Principal Taylor Chapman, “events like this help make the future real.” Eighteen students in the Avondale Academy Class of 2016 have chosen a post-secondary path that includes attending a four- or two- year college, a trade school, a certification program or entry into a branch of the armed services. “Our staff has been working with the students throughout the school year to help them explore and consider career options. Many of the careers the students are thinking about involve post-secondary education which takes some planning,” explained Chapman.

To help the students with that planning and with understanding the requirements and criteria for continuing their education after graduation, the Academy staff provides opportunity for students to submit a college application and apply for a FAFSA PIN during College Application Week followed by a Financial Information Night for students and their parents. Academy staff continues to work with students in the months following to finalize their decisions which are announced each May during Decision Day. During the iDecided ceremony, students sign pledges stating that they will take full responsibility for completing the final admissions requirements of the institution they plan to attend. Those requirements include calling the institution to verify receipt of all required documents; attending orientations; completing entrance exams; meeting with counselors; and registering for classes.

Senior Alexandra Hernandez, who will be delivering a Commencement address to her classmates during graduation, talked about the importance of setting goals and committing to a plan that includes education after high school. “I didn’t always put everything into high school,” she shared, “I didn’t always put learning first. Then one day I chose. I chose to make it important. I decided that if I wanted to do something and be someone then I would have to make it a goal – and I did.” Her goal is to attend Oakland Community College and work toward a degree in Criminal Justice or Psychology.

The students’ declaration of their plans was a poignant moment during the event that also featured remarks from sports columnist and Detroit radio personality, Terry Foster. Foster, a native Detroiter, shared with the students his own story of how he chose to pursue college and a degree from Central Michigan University. He stressed that “sometimes you have to struggle; sometimes you have to seek out help; and mostly you have to remember that things aren’t always easy so you have to have some fight in you.”

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