One of the annual highlights for A.V.I.D. is the community projects for seniors.

Students are collaborating and coming up with ideas for the greater good of community. Every year, A.V.I.D. students bring on their projects to support a certain cause. This A.V.I.D. senior seminar service learning project is part of its curriculum. It’s put in place with the hopes of helping students to organize, manage time, and to engage in activities. It also is an important factor they can add to their resume. The A.V.I.D. projects this year include names such as: “Make Conley Green Again,” Teddy Bear Toss, Run for a Cause, and so many more.

Just recently, A.V.I.D. students Marvin Gama and Rodolfo Magana came up with the Teddy Bear Toss. “So, it was Mrs. Hamblin’s idea, but we had another idea of helping the ASES kids. Unfortunately, another group was already doing it.  Mrs. Hamblin said, “You know how they throw bears in the Condor’s Game, well, you guys should do something like that.” They got over two hundred bears, as a result, to donate to ill children in the hospital.

The students in the classroom collaborated and conversed over ideas. Two students have to partner up to create a beneficial project. I, myself, experienced the inside perspective of what that looks like. My small glimpse included: leaving the Dollar Tree and getting asked to donate to the animal shelter to looking at total makeover with paint to a once avoidable underpass for children. The students took initiative to improve the life round them. And this is how they did it:

Rachel Yochum and Kayleen Teeter developed “Date Night.” This took place at First Baptist Church. There was a dinner catered by The Bank. The night involved playing games, taking photo booth pictures, and winning prizes. “It was fun. It went really well,” commented Rachel Yochum.

Millie Reynoso and Bella Nuncio developed a project called, “Giving Smiles.” The two thought of this idea together. Bella had a toothbrush and she looked into the company and found they gave a toothbrush to a kid around the world for each one purchased. This gave inspiration to this project. They wanted to fundraise and give to the Needs center. They gave thanks to Mrs. Hamblin, Eric Cooper (True Value), Emmanuel Campos, and to those who helped.

Cristina Bautista and Ashley Pence’s project was “Helping Paws.” They decided they wanted to collect donations for the animal shelter. Ms. Hamblin offered up the idea and they went forth with it.  They would like to thank all the kids who volunteered and those who donated. With the collection of blankets and toys, they found a way to provide for the animals. They saw the need to provide more when all they saw was the basic necessities were only given.

The rest of the A.V.I.D. students got involved get-well cards, acts of kindness, and even a Senior Prom for members of the community. Altogether, with the variety of projects, the students all appreciated what they came up with. The virtues and responsibility in them shape what A.V.I.D. is all about.