AVID students in Utica Community Schools celebrate district's College Culture

High School seniors in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) celebrated their first milestone recently – achieving the high school diploma.

Now it is time to work towards that second important milestone – their college diploma.

"When we talk about this program, we talk about how we believe in AVID and its success," Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. "We talk about making a difference through AVID."

More than 60 Stevenson and Utica High School students are graduating after taken part in the program over the past few years.

The soon-to-be UCS graduates attributed their success to the support they received through the program and the relationship created among teachers and students.

"They should change the 'I' in AVID to an 'F' - From 'individual' to 'family' because it is a family," said senior Mathew Issa. "It is through these people that you become strong."

AVID is a national program initiated approximately thirty years ago as a research-based college readiness system. By being placed into rigorous courses alongside high achieving students and provided with support from the AVID elective class, students are able to make significant gains in their academic achievement.

The students receive support for such areas as organization, study skills, and critical thinking, and participate in motivational activities that promote the importance of continuing education after their high school diploma.

UCS began the program in 2012 as Macomb County’s only AVID program.

Graduating seniors honored at a special ceremony on April 20 are:

Utica High School

Nathan Achatz
Colin Baker
Roza Deda
Steven Djelaj
Emily Earls
Emily Edwards
Carl Elder
Andreana Ljucovic
PeterMarki
Natalie Maroof
Santiago Martinez
Chase Miller
Omaure Miller
Cameron Mitchell
Dylan Scott
Salvador Serrano III
Stephanie Shaddock
Cassandra Zamora
Kaylee Zotos

Stevenson High School
Damon Alexander
Yousuf Al-Khareef
Hira Ansari
Elena Azis
Jenica Barger
Jacobi Brown
Henry Campverde
Crystal Chacko
Hassan Chowdhury
Abigail Cousineau
Doviron Dado
Brenden Datema
Deanna Dickow
Malik Faronbi
Julianna George
Sabrina Glavan
Daren Gross
Kristina Habbo
Joanne Hakim
Flowrita Halaq
Sarina Harrison
Tyler Hills
Migena Hysa
Matt Issa
Katelyn Jaboro
Courtney Jackson
Silvia Karana
Derius Kelley
Jacob Lage
Dezmond Lance
Mary Mekha
Wisam Mikho
Nicole Nguyen
Michael Northup
Ashley Pater
Abigail Praet
Madison Reyntens
Elias Romaya
Joseph Ross
Luisa Sterbyci
Joanne Tamou
Taylor Weidner
Aaron Williams III
Adela Zeka