First La Sierra AVID Day brings 200 high schoolers to college

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – They learned about geckos, local plant species, art and design opportunities and participated in a scavenger hunt—high school students enjoyed a plethora of activities during a recent visit to La Sierra University as part of a program designed to prepare them for college.

<p> La Sierra University students and campus tour leaders Anett Pajuelo, left, and Paulina Tapia pose during the AVID Day fair. (Photo: Jared Gonzalez) </p>

La Sierra University students and campus tour leaders Anett Pajuelo, left, and Paulina Tapia pose during the AVID Day fair. (Photo: Jared Gonzalez)

<p> La Sierra University Enactus team member David Barrales, left, speaks with a student during the university's AVID Day. </p>

La Sierra University Enactus team member David Barrales, left, speaks with a student during the university's AVID Day.

<p> Members of the Student Association of La Sierra University pose for a photo during the AVID Day Fair. </p>

Members of the Student Association of La Sierra University pose for a photo during the AVID Day Fair.

<p> Left to right, Art+Design professor Tim Musso with La Sierra University students Shailani Skoretz and Alana Ciccarelli speak with AVID Day participants from local high schools </p>

Left to right, Art+Design professor Tim Musso with La Sierra University students Shailani Skoretz and Alana Ciccarelli speak with AVID Day participants from local high schools

<p> Chemistry associate professor Jennifer Helbley, left, discusses chemistry with AVID Day participants. </p>

Chemistry associate professor Jennifer Helbley, left, discusses chemistry with AVID Day participants.

<p> La Sierra University Chaplain Jason Decena, left, and a student host a booth for the Office of Spiritual Life during the AVID Day Fair. </p>

La Sierra University Chaplain Jason Decena, left, and a student host a booth for the Office of Spiritual Life during the AVID Day Fair.

<p> Kimberly Feiler, right, chair of Health and Exercise Science and professor Ledy Ann Patel at the AVID Day Fair. </p>

Kimberly Feiler, right, chair of Health and Exercise Science and professor Ledy Ann Patel at the AVID Day Fair.

<p> Biology professor Nate Sutter, left, with department administrative assistant Jasleen Dharni at the biology booth for AVID Day. </p>

Biology professor Nate Sutter, left, with department administrative assistant Jasleen Dharni at the biology booth for AVID Day.

<p> A Makerbot 3D printer demonstration during the AVID Day Fair. </p>

A Makerbot 3D printer demonstration during the AVID Day Fair.

More than 200 students from five local high schools descended upon La Sierra’s campus on March 8 for AVID Day, complete with campus tours, activities, and information gathering about college life and career opportunities. The students arrived from Hillcrest High School, Norte Vista High School, La Sierra High School, La Sierra Academy, and Sherman Indian High School. In reflections they submitted to teachers following the event, the students summarized their impressions.

“The biology session was my favorite because they thoroughly went through the summer programs and that topic …interested me the most,” noted one student.

“Lunch, the food was really good,” said another.

“My favorite session was the fair part of it as it allowed us to get more information about many different things around campus,” said a student.AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination is a national program implemented at K-12 schools that aims to bridge the gap for students who desire higher education but who lack the necessary skills and support to get there. AVID offers programs for elementary through high school students and training for teachers.

"I loved how they’re including everything about STEM and having our students think about sustainability and the impact it has on our environment and our world.”  -- Adriana Camacho, math and AVID teacher, La Sierra High School

In 2015, La Sierra University through its Title V grant program began a partnership with AVID for Higher Education which offers instruction to educators on ways of improving instructional practices and co-curricular systems in ways that engage and motivate diverse student populations. La Sierra’s AVID program provides resources for the university’s student-run AVID Club, organizers campus tours for local AVID student classes, offers peer-led learning opportunities on campus, and helps support the development of local K-12 AVID programs.

The March 8 AVID Day was the first day-long activity the campus’ AVID program has organized. It consisted of three interactive sessions, a meal in the Dining Commons cafeteria and a student fair involving 18 university clubs, departments and programs. These included departments of Art+Design, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, the Hispanic Business Incubator, Zapara School of Business Enactus team, the Office of Spiritual Life and the Pre-Med Club, and among others.“Being a math teacher I loved how they’re including everything about STEM and having our students think about sustainability and the impact it has on our environment and our world,” said Adriana Camacho in a video interview series conducted during AVID Day. She is a math and AVID teacher at La Sierra High School and accompanied students on the campus AVID Day tour. “I loved how they got to come on a college campus and sit in lecture halls,” she said.

"I feel like it could change me and make a better ‘me’ before I go into the world.” -- AVID program high school student

Nate Sutter, geneticist and chair of La Sierra University’s biology department participated in AVID Day and noted his interests in connecting with students who are intrigued with exploring the cutting-edge field of genomics research. “We’re living in what’s called the genomics era. Genomics is a place where data is huge, data’s exciting, and we’re just getting started with what we can do in biology with big data. I’m here to help any student who’s interested in doing this get this done,” he said.One high school student described in a video how the AVID program at his school helps prepare him for college. “We learn things like taking notes, studying, those are like key things you need to know to be in college and I think it’s important to have those skills.”

Two other high school students said they joined the program to learn more about colleges and to develop a plan prior to enrolling in higher education. Said one, “I feel like college … can open up more opportunities, more jobs, and of course you live a different life when you go to college, and you’ll go through different experiences. I feel like it could change me and make a better ‘me’ before I go into the world.”

AVID school groups typically participate in field trips to college campuses once or twice a year, depending on budgets, said Thomas Stokes in an email. He is a program coordinator for RIMS AVID which covers Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. More than 100,000 AVID students at 500 schools in grades TK-12 are enrolled in AVID programs around the four-county region. Last year La Sierra University formed a partnership with RIMS AVID. Stokes was one of two coordinators to attend AVID Day in March.

“Touring a campus is one thing, but being immersed in the everyday activities on a campus is even more important to allow them the opportunity to see what college is really like,” Stokes said. “These kids got both and I think it helped them to get a real experience from the trip.”

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