Greeley West High School celebrated AVID Day with a program-wide assembly during fourth period on Friday. AVID, or Advancedment Via Individuial Determination, is a national college preparatory program that has been around for 45 years.  They declared the celebration day around the country as a way to celebrate the changes AVID has made in student, teacher, and community’s lives since its creation.

At Greeley West, students said they highlighted their determination, grit, and excitement for AVID. Lots of students had fun and loved the celebratory environment.

Senior Eva Grimaldo expressed how the seniors were the ones who planned AVID Day.  The seniors came up with the games, shirts,music, and speakers. “We designed the whole thing from beginning to end, ” stated Girmaldo.

For the seniors organizing the event, it was a chance to bring all of the AVID students at West together and to have fun.  “We wanted all the grades involved in something that would be fun and energetic for everybody,” stated Girmaldo.

AP Human Geography and AVID teacher Ms. Izbeth Pacheco expressed how AVID Day presented a special opportuity specifically to the freshmen classes.  “It was good for our freshmen to see what their future will look like,” stated Pacheco. “Seeing past students hopefully felt empowering to our kids.”

Pacheco helped arrange one of the guest speakers – Lorenzo Balderrama – who graduated in 2017.  Balderamma now uses his Biology degree to work in AI for the healthcare industry as he earns his PHD.

According to junior Janice Bercian, AVID Day met its goals.  “I was really excited for it, and it did exceed my expectations,” said Bercian.

She also expressed how hard the seniors worked to put it all together. “The seniors did a really good job, the theme was cool and the games were really fun,” stated Bercian.