AVID Club Scholarship Winners (May 23, 2008)

In recognizing and rewarding the accomplishment of AVID students, AVID Club is awarding the first annual Scholarship. AVID Club awarded two book scholarships to graduating AVID seniors who have recognized committment to going to college, positive participation in the AVID program, and truly symbolizes the ideal AVID student.

The AVID Club Scholarship winners were announced at the Senior AVID Breakfast held on Friday, May 23.

Richard Garcia: Will be attending UCLA in the Fall 2008, and was in AVID for four years. Richard was involved in many sports, including Football and Baseball during his four years at Alhambra High School. Richard has maintained a GPA of 3.9, and his received numerous academic achievement awards. AVID Club recognizes Richard Garcia's efforts and accomplishments.

Sylina Huynh: Will be attending Farleigh Dickenson University in Florham, New Jersey in the Fall 2008. Sylina has been an outstanding member of the AVID program for the past four years, and has been involved in many activities, such as Film Club. Sylina has maintained a GPA of 3.8, and has challenged herself academically by taking both honors and advanced placement courses. Sylina plans to major in creative writing and film. AVID Club recognizes Sylina Huynh's accomplishments.

SAT Workshops (April 09, 2008)

In an effort to create a college-going atmosphere at Alhambra High School, and train students on how to take the SAT exam, and practice taking the exam, AVID Club hosted the first of a series of workshops after-school for students.



(LEFT: AVID and non-AVID students listen to Ms. Keenan, as they practice on English reasoning questions.)



The first workshop was led by English Teacher, Kristin Keenan on Wednesday, April o9, 2008, after-school. She was able to offer students test taking strategies, went over practice questions, and offered practice exams and suggestions.


(RIGHT: English Teacher, Kristin Keenan, leads the first of a series of SAT workshops for AHS students through the sponsorship of the AVID Club.)


1st SAT Workshop: English Reasoning hosted by Kristin Keenan
2nd SAT Workshop: Math, led by Abel Bourbois
3rd SAT Workshop: SAT Practice Test administered by Princeton Review
4th SAT Workshop: SAT Results & Suggested, led by Princeton Review

Shakey's Night (March 25, 2008)

To help fundraise for an upcoming AVID field trip, the AVID Club decided to host a fundraising dinner at Shakey's in Alhambra.

(LEFT: Senior AVID students in Mr. Sanchez' AVID class participate in the evening event and share dinner with Mr. Sanchez.)

While the event served to fundraise, it also helped to unite and give AVID students an opportunity to socialize outside of the classroom.

(RIGHT: Junior AVID student, Thania Lucero and mother, enjoy a night of eating at Shakey's, while supporting AHS' AVID program).

The fundraising evening was successful in many ways: it brought together over 30 AVID and non-AVID students, gave parents an opportunity to meet AVID teachers outside the classroom, and it helped the AVID program fundraise for the many activities and items it purchases for AVID students.

(LEFT: Freshmen AVID students not only display their comradery--a social skill developed in the AVID program--but, also their winnings from the games at Shakey's.)

Installation Dinner @ Shakas (02/20)

AVID Club members celebrated the beginning of a new semester and the newly elected AVID Club officers by sharing a dinner at Shakas after-school on Wednesday, February 20. Newly elected officers were announced, received sashes that were created by new Art Director, Amy Wong, and a gift certificate to Starbucks.

(LEFT PICTURE: Newly elected Vice-President, Thania Lucero, and newly appointed Sargeant-at-Arms, Cielo Ruiz).

AVID Club has new plans for the Spring semester to help create a college-going atmosphere on campus. Tomorrow AVID Club will be hosting a FAFSA workshop for seniors who plan to go to college and need financial aid. The workshop will be on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, after-school, in Room B-20.

(RIGHT PICTURE: New Co-Secretaries, Kalin Thong and Stacy San at Shakas).

AVID Club also has other social activities that plan to create college awareness within the club. AVID Club plans to attend the AVID sponsored evening at Magic Mountain on April 11, 2008, and visit a local university. AVID Club also plans to help sponsor a new AVID Celebration at the end of the year, to help highlight the accomplishment of AVID Club, and students in the AVID program.

(LEFT PICTURE: Emily Gao is the newly appointed Treasurer for AVID Club).

To help pay for many of the many activities that AVID Club is hosting, the Club plans to participate in many fundraising activities. This semester, AVID Club is planning a chocolate sale, campus wide sale of college awarness t-shirt, Shakey's Night, and ideas are still developing!

(RIGHT PICTURE: Newly elected President, Lucie Carlin, enjoys her dinner at Shakas, as she is congratulated by the Club. Lucie is an AVID senior student in Mr. Sanchez' AVID Class).

Winter Social--Ice Skating (12/20)

Eventhough the semester has not yet ended, AVID Club has had a successful semester helping senior students apply to CSUs, UCs, and create a college going atmosphere at AHS through College Week. Furhtermore, AVID Club has done well fundraising and selling planners, as well as in the Food Fair.

(LEFT: Mr. Sanchez with AVID Club members, Carolina Guia (12th--Secretary), Jennifer Olivares (12th--Treasurer), and Russell Martinez (12th--member).

As a form of celebration for their many accomplishments this semester, AVID Club hosted a Winter Social Event at the Pasadena Skating rink on the evening of Dec. 20. Many active members of the AVID Club showed up for a magical evening of ice skating in Pasadena.

(RIGHT: AVID Club member, Samantha, not only sports her new AVID sweater, but also her skating skills on the ice.)

Food Fair (12/19)

As part of the food fair activities this fall, AVID Club sold BRC burritos from El Pollo Loco. As soon as the food sign was posted, and the food arrived, the BRC burritos were a hit!

(RIGHT: AVID teachers, Ms. Burkhart and Mr. Bourbois, purchase AVID Club BRC burritos, as they sport their AVID sweatshirts.)

Four AVID Club members participated in the Food Fair event: Anthony Ortiz (12th Grade), Javier Munar (12th Grade), Carolina Guia (12th Grade), and Olivia Lozoya (10th Grade).

(LEFT: Olivia Lozoya (10th) & Carolina Guia (12th), sell BRC burritos during the Food Fair.)

AVID Club did sell all items during the first 20 minutes of first lunch, so it was quite successful. AVID Club will be requesting to sell BRC burritos during the Spring Food Fair as well.

(RIGHT: Anthony Ortiz and Javier Munar, sell BRC burritos for AVID Club.)

College Door Decorating Contest (College Week) 12/14

As part of College Week, AVID Club sponsored a College Door Decorating competition as a method for creating a college going atmosphere at Alhambra High School. Executive co-sponsored College Week, by creating college related events in the quad throughout the week.

While it was difficult just selecting three top winners from the 15 classrooms that participated, AVID Club members judged the College Doors based on "Originality, Creativity, and the Ability to Create College Awareness" on campus. Below are the top three winners in order:

1st Place--Mr. Venti (Room D-314): AVID Club selected Mr. Venti's College Door as the first place winner because of it's message: preparing students on the road to college, from Kingergarten to 12th grade. The Door provided accurate measure of the activities students must complete at each grade level or on the road to college. Mr. Venti's 3rd period class has won the first place prize of pizza party.

(Right: Mr. Venti's College Door, being explained by two of his students).

2nd Place--Mr. Brambila (Room A-33): This classroom was selected as a second place winner for their ability to not only promote college awarness on campus, but to demonstrate that each student in Mr. Brambila's class has a college plan. The Door included a picture of each of the students in Mr. Brambila's 3rd period class, with a description of their college and career goals. Mr. Brambila's 3rd period class has won the second prize of donut party.

(Left: Mr. Brambila's College Door).

3rd Place--Ms. Keenan (Room D-212): Ms. Keenan's class was selected as the third place winner for their ability to promote college awareness both at school and within her class. Aside from designing a college door, Ms. Keenan's students participated in college and career research while in class. Ms. Keenan's 3rd period class has won the prize of donut party.

(Right: Picture of Ms. Keenan's College Door).

AVID Club would like to thank the 15 different classroom teachers and students that participated in the College Door Decorating Contest this Friday as part of College Week.

(Below: AVID Club members who paricipated in the College Door Contest judging, in order: Stacy San [9th], Jasmin Manza [10th], Lucia Carlin, Treasurer [12th], Jennifer Olivares [12th], and Richard Garcia [12th]. Mr. Sanchez only voted to help break a 3rd place tie.)