AVID seniors work hard starting their freshman year toward the goal of getting into the university they’ve always wanted to attend. Over the weeks of this school year, these seniors have put in the time and effort doing things like completing college applications, rewriting essays, revising resumes and spending countless hours during the week before school, after school, during lunch, and at AVID Saturday’s at Starbucks. So far 44 of 48 seniors have been accepted to 4-year universities and received an updated estimate of $3,400,000 in merit scholarship awards, nearly tripling last years amount.
Many of these seniors have AVID teacher Monica Yzaguirre to thank for pushing them to work hard and strive for more. The accumulated merit scholarship awards almost triples last year’s amount, and Yzaguirre knows the key to all this success.
“They respond to discipline. We build a sense of respect and connection and get effort out of them. They are willing to work hard when you create a partnership with them. With that partnership, you can do anything,” Yzaguirre said.
Yzaguirre knows how to empower her students. She always strives for them to do more and be more.
“I tell kids don’t be ordinary. Being ordinary, you won’t get anything by walking class-to-class and barely getting by. I want kids to be extraordinary. Being extraordinary means to have hope and the power to do something different,” Yzaguirre said.
A majority of her students will be the first generation in their family to attend college. With the lessons that she gives her students, Yzaguirre knows that they can accomplish anything.
“90% of our students’ parents have not gone to college. Those parents want their children to go to college and go out into the world to be successful. That’s what we want for them, and in order for them to be successful, they need to be extraordinary,” Yzaguirre said.
Yzaguirre is proud of her students. She wants them to understand that everything they do matters. The choices that they make can affect their life in the future and she just wants the best for them.
“I’m very proud of them and want them to be successful. I don’t want them to struggle, but in life, they will know failure. Once they go out into the world, they will adjust to life because everything they do matters, and it has to matter to them. I don’t want them to be prisoners of their community, but I want them to change their community,” Yzaguirre said.
Senior Kendarius Martin is one of the forty-eight seniors who has worked hard and been accepted to a university. Martin has applied for scholarships such as The Jackie Robinson scholarship, Poetry out-loud, Coca-Cola scholarship, Ronald McDonald scholarship, AFA Teens, Avid Speaker Essay, and a High School Poetry contest. Martin has done his fair share of extra work on weekends, Saturdays at Starbucks, mornings and after-schools and it’s paid off with his acceptance to Our Lady of the Lake University. Martin attributes all the success to Yzaguirre.
“All the hard work was worth it. Without the help of Ms. Y and AVID I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would be confused and nervous on what to do for college if it wasn’t for her,” said Martin.
Senior Stephanie Menchaca has also worked diligently to be where she’s at today. Menchaca has applied for the following scholarships: Churches Chicken scholarship, Dell scholarship, Coca-Cola, Café College, Nawbo, and a scholarship from coupon.com. Menchaca has been accepted into Incarnate Word, UHV, Our Lady of the Lake University, A&M Kingsville, and Beaumont. She also points to Yzaguirre for her success.
“All the hard work was worth it all. Without AVID and Ms. Y, I wouldn’t know what to do to get into these colleges. Thanks to her, I’ve been exposed to the tools I need to get into colleges and be successful,” said Menchaca.