Four high school students forge their paths to college and beyond
By Morgan Cartier Weston | Photography by Gladys Alvarez
Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is a nationally recognized college readiness program designed to equip students with skills in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, reading and critical thinking. AVID students consistently achieve higher rates of college enrollment and graduation. Nationwide, 94% meet four-year college entrance requirements, 90% gain acceptance to four-year institutions, and 85% continue into their second year. Currently, 13 of the 17 Chatham County Schools, including four high schools, offer AVID as an elective. Students apply and commit to the rigorous curriculum that prepares them to achieve college success.
Chart a Path
Jacob Eubanks, a junior at Jordan-Matthews High School, knew he wanted to participate in AVID after hearing about it from his older brother, Timothy Eubanks, now a student at North Carolina A&T State University. Inspired by his brother’s success, Jacob, 16, joined the program and has found it to be an invaluable experience. “AVID has really helped me become more organized,” Jacob says. “I’ve learned different ways to take notes, like writing questions on the side to follow up on later or to prepare for tests.” As first-generation college students, he says both he and Timothy see AVID as an important step in reaching their respective goals. Jacob hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps while setting an example for his family. One of his favorite aspects of the program is the opportunity to visit college campuses.
So far, he has toured N.C. A&T, NC State University, East Carolina University and UNC. Through his involvement in the Black Student Union, a club at Jordan-Matthews, Jacob has also visited historically Black universities like WinstonSalem State University. These experiences, along with enthusiastic encouragement from AVID program coordinator Elizabeth Deaton, have fueled Jacob’s excitement about pursuing a degree in business administration with a possible concentration in sports management at NC State or UNC. AVID has also pushed Jacob to take higher-level courses, reinforcing his confidence in handling college-level work. “It’s a hands-on program that helps you build real skills and meet new people,” he says.
Outside the classroom, Jacob plays baseball and runs track. He balances sports, school and a job at Chick-fil-A through the strong time management skills he has developed. Jacob credits the program not just for its academic support, but also for fostering a sense of community. “Most of my friends are in AVID – it’s like a big family,” he says. “We help one another, encourage one another and push one another to work hard.” As he looks ahead to college, he is excited about his future career and eager to make his mother proud. His advice to other high school students? “Be as organized as you can,” he says. “Don’t mess around, keep your GPA up and set the tone for the next four years.”
Strive for Success
Seaforth High School senior Gael Godoy Basabes, 17, joined AVID after receiving encouragement from his English teacher and Seaforth’s AVID coordinator, Sarah Harris. Gael enrolled as a junior – an opportunity that introduced him to new academic pathways, including dual enrollment at Central Carolina Community College. “AVID really focuses on helping you excel and grow as a person,” Gael says. “It opened up options I didn’t even know about.” He and his classmates take CCCC courses together through AVID, fostering a supportive environment around shared goals. “It feels like being on a team,” Gael explains. “We’re all interacting and helping one another.” The program has also instilled crucial life skills, particularly time management. He stays organized using a provided calendar, ensuring he meets deadlines and remains accountable. Beyond AVID, Gael is active in Orgullo Latinx Pride, a year-round club created by The Hispanic Liaison. Members engage in activities including homework assistance, college visits, career fairs and cultural events, group meetings and community service. “Many of the students in AVID are also in OLP, so it’s kind of a link between organizations and programs,” Gael says. “Being in both exposes you to more and helps diversify what opportunities you learn about.”
His involvement, combined with his academics, inspired Gael to pursue a career in social work. He credits his teachers, including Michelle Moody, Nathaniel Hoover and Franklin Gomez, for supporting and guiding him along the way. Gael’s AP Spanish literature class last semester with Mr. Gomez, for instance, deepened his connection to his heritage. “We read [out loud] almost every day, and it really helped me practice my Spanish while learning about my culture,” Gael says. Outside school, Gael enjoys modifying hardware and software; he recently reconfigured an old iPod to bypass iTunes and allow drag-and-drop music transfers. “It was fun to make something old new again and make it suit my needs,” he says. Determined to be the first in his family to attend college, Gael says he strives “for a better life, a better education. I want to make [my family] proud, support them when I’m older and take advantage of opportunities they didn’t have.” As he applies to universities, Gael remains focused on turning his ambition into reality – both for himself and for the community he hopes to serve.
Aim High
Jasmine Wichowski first learned about AVID at George Moses Horton Middle School when older students visited to encourage applications to the program. She entered Northwood High School with clear goals: strengthen her public speaking skills, improve her organization and prepare for college. Now a senior, Jasmine, 18, says these key areas have readied her for the next step in her education. “If I could describe AVID in one word, it would be ‘supportive,’” she says. She especially values the program’s emphasis on collaboration among students. “It is basically a built-in support system, where students across grade levels encourage and guide one another,” Jasmine says.
“Now, some of us are even applying to the same colleges. We’re really in it together.” Jasmine plans to major in exercise science or sports medicine, aiming to combine her love of science with her passion for sports by becoming a physical trainer or sports medicine physician. She is active in Northwood’s Sports Media Club and its Health and Wellness Club, gaining hands on learning experiences that prepare her for her future career. Beyond academics, AVID has provided Jasmine with friendships, mentorship and motivation. She has applied to 18 colleges, received 10 acceptances so far, and hopes to attend UNC.
Find Confidence
David Morales Hernandez, a Chatham Central High School senior, found guidance and growth through AVID. His older brother, Francisco Morales Hernandez, participated in AVID as well and encouraged David to join the program as a freshman. Since then, David has developed crucial planning and time management skills. “Planning ahead gives you stability and organization, not just in school, but in life,” David says. With the help of AVID coordinator Laurie Paige, the 17-year-old learned to track deadlines and map out assignments, a habit that benefits both his academics and his part time job at Bojangles.
AVID also helped transform David’s confidence in applying to college. Initially unsure about his chances, he worked hard to maintain strong grades and recently gained acceptance to all the universities he applied to, including UNC and NC State. He is considering following a STEM or engineering path, but is also interested in studying law or political science at Carolina, his top choice. “[UNC] felt inaccessible to me, so I am really excited to have been accepted.” Support from teachers like Cassadi Walden also played a key role in David’s journey. “She provided one-on-one guidance, helping me explore scholarships and college programs,” he says. He’s now focused on securing financial aid, and already has scholarship applications underway, including one for the Dell Scholars program, a competitive scholarship that includes $20,000 in financial support and a new Dell laptop. Balancing both school and work has instilled in David values like patience and persistence. “Sometimes schoolwork feels like busywork, and you don’t realize its importance until later,” he says. David describes AVID as a welcoming environment for learning. As he prepares for college and adulthood, he looks forward to the independence and opportunities ahead. “I’m excited to see what else is out there and to build a life for myself.”
