The AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) students from Riversprings Middle School and Wakulla Middle School accompanied their teachers, Mrs. Donna Sullivan and Mrs. Katherine Spivey to TCC to attend the first College and Career Day hosted by Florida’s Department of Education on Thursday, September 23rd. There were over 300 eighth graders from throughout the Florida panhandle in attendance.  

The event kicked off with local speakers encouraging students to stay motivated and plan now for college.  Some of the speakers included Dr. Judith Bilsky (Executive Vice Chancellor Office of Student and Academic Success), Christian Ponder (FSU QB #7), and Margo Zwerling (FSU track team) and Frank Brogan (Chancellor of the State University System of FL).  Their messages were clear:  to challenge yourself in middle and high school, become well rounded, set personal goals, get to know your teachers, be organized, eliminate barriers from your mind regarding possible careers and that you can be anything you want to be... but make sure you are the best one they ever had!  Truly, all of these thoughts are woven through the AVID strategies that are practiced daily at both middle schools.

Students had a chance to participate in a scavenger hunt and meet with the various colleges and universities represented.  Over lunch they had the opportunity for team building to strengthen the relationship between the two middle schools who will work together next year when they are part of the AVID program at Wakulla High School.  AVID strategies encourage students to be organized, take challenging courses throughout their educational careers and create a plan to work toward their long-term goals. Although only one year old in Wakulla County, AVID is celebrating its 30th year promoting student success.

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