AVID students score points for college dreams

It was a nail-biter right to the last seconds of the game, but the Pistons fought for a tough win against the Toronto Raptors and our own UCS AVID students shared in the victory.

Well before the recent game, UCS AVID students from across the district were released from classes to catch a bus to the Palace of Auburn Hills where they were greeted with open arms and welcomed into the empty stadium for a pre-show experience they will not soon forget.

First stop was the bleacher seats to meet four Palace Sports employees from different areas of the business to talk about their college experiences, what it is like to work in their job and take questions from the students.

Pre-game festivities continued as students were escorted to the fifth floor balcony rooms to enjoy a college fair to learn about programs offered and to ask questions of the representatives.

“The mini college fair was very educational and informative. I liked learning about different college programs and careers,” said seventh-grader Ethan Hacker.

Added seventh grader Jamie Dempsey, “I think the panel of Palace of Auburn Hills employees was interesting because we got to learn about what they did to get where they are now in their career.”

During the fair, Jeannette Junior High School AVID teachers were offered the opportunity to have their students be the welcome high-five line on the court as the Detroit Pistons entered at the start of the game.

Students waited court side, cheering on the Pistons during the pregame warm-up and as they entered the stadium.

“It was fun seeing all the players running on the court and ’high-fiving’ them,” said Dempsey.