AVID matriculation is scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. It is a night to celebrate AVID seniors and pass on the experience to the juniors. They will pass down the AVID paddle to the juniors that has been passed down since 2013.

There will be a formal slideshow and presentations celebrating the seniors. They are also given the opportunity to give a rose to a teacher and a loved one that has made a major impact on their life. AVID students of the year will be announced along with the two junior winners of the Legacy Scholarship. 

After the ceremony, the seniors are going to Sanborn park to release their lanterns with meaningful messages on them. 

Senior AVID member Emma Redfern has been in AVID since freshman year. She was influenced to join when math teacher Jeremi Redman encouraged her to do so at the summer geometry class before 9th grade. Redfern does not regret her AVID experience. “It has helped me prepare for my future,” Redfern said.

AVID sets you up for the big professional and personal steps you take. It prepares you for college, while keeping you organized in your college prep steps, such as scholarships and applications. 

AVID students stay with one class for all four years, so their connections are strong. IB English teacher Elizabeth Dent has been teaching AVID since 2006 and this is her very last AVID class in her career. She refers to these students as “her kids” and her “AVID family.” Dent said, “I have loved having other AVID kids in my class too, it’s very bonding.” 

“Matriculation is a marker and the bridge from high school to everything that lies after it.”

Senior AVID member Eduardo Barraza has also been in AVID for four years. He joined because of his middle school teacher and he thought it was going to be a good way to challenge himself. “It has taught me to create a support system and seek for that in other environments,” Barraza stated.