AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at Wheeler High School

President Sam Pierce's visionary thinking and big picture viewpoint served as catalyst behind his intentions and actions in appointing long-range planning co-chairs to seek, develop and initiate implementation of a signature club project; in other words DARE-ing TO BE BETTER SERVING HUMANITY. Members identified with strengths for this specific task (15% of the club) joined in, and a funneling process brought laser focus on the proposed AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at Wheeler High School. Since 40% of Wheeler's students return to the community to live and work, that fact provided significant appeal for impact.

AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success. AVID's elective classes build WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, reading) and draw students with academic potential who would be the first in their family to attend college, are historically under served in four-year colleges, are low income and/or have special circumstances.

Our memorandum of understanding includes: Wheeler obtaining AVID certification, at least one member of the Rotary Club serving on the AVID Site Team, utilizing businesses identified by the Rotary club for field trips, creating and maintaining an Interact Club at Wheeler, promoting Rotary within the community through presence, logos, announcements, press releases, social media, banners at sporting events, reporting AVID progress and results at Rotary meetings, and establishing the relationship for an initial term of three years with intent to renew.

Our East Cobb Foundation serves as key financial resource for this project, so President Sam included club president's identified for the next three years as decision makers on this project, and foundation funds have been raised with weekly Sunshine birthday checks and the annual December holiday party raffle. Pieces are in place, and the AVID signature project picture is in view ready for implementation.