School Zone
Points of Pride
Two DCPS' Students Named Finalists in National Speaker Contest
Judy Hernandez, a sophomore at Sandalwood High School, and Patrice Fredrick, a sophomore at Robert E. Lee High School, were selected as two of only five finalists nationwide to participate in AVID's 2009 Summer Institute.
Judy and Patrice submitted entries into the AVID's (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Student Speaker Scholarship Contest. The contest searched for dynamic speakers with unique and compelling stories. This year's theme, "AVID: For Our Students, For Our Future," requested students speak about their personal experiences and how AVID has helped them reach for their dreams.
"It's quite an honor for these girls to have been chosen to share their story at the AVID Summer Institute, and to have two winners from Duval County is just wonderful," said Eddie Christian, DCPS' AVID Specialist. "It really says a lot for our students and their teachers that support the program. I've heard many stories where the AVID program has turned students' lives around, but these two are incredible."
Judy's essay describes a migrant Mexican family's struggles making ends meet through seasonal work, which required them to move frequently from state to state. She explains that her parents' inability to speak English made her grow up before her time. Since the age of seven, Judy has been responsible for translating professional documents and speaking to insurance agents on behalf of her parents.
Patrice's story, one of personal tragedy, provided details of how the AVID program is allowing her to get her life back on track. She explains how the death of her father took her on a downward spiral, taking her from an A/B honor roll student - to making Ds and Fs.
Both students will receive a $500 scholarship and have a chance to tell their compelling stories before thousands of educators at the 2009 AVID Orlando Summer Institute on July 1.
The AVID program targets students in the academic middle who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. The program puts these students on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation. Currently, 11 Duval County high schools have AVID programs.
For more information about AVID, visit
www.avidonline.org or contact Eddie Christian at 904-348-7788.
Andrew Jackson Student Receives Appointment to West Point
Alexander D. Mitchell, a senior at Andrew Jackson High School, recently received notification that he has been accepted for admission into the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
The appointment, sent on behalf of President Obama and the Secretary of the Army, has enrolled Alexander into the prestigious academy's Class of 2013.
To be considered for admission to West Point, a candidate must be qualified academically, medically and physically, and must receive a nomination from an approved source, such as a member of Congress.
"Alexander is a young man with whom his parents, school and teachers can be extremely proud," said Vera Bussey, guidance counselor at Andrew Jackson High School. "We are very proud of his accomplishments and wish him the best as he embarks upon his post-secondary journey."
Alexander has been involved in numerous activities throughout his high school career, including the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC), where he is the Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to his role in the AFJROTC, Alexander is in the school's top three percent of students with a weighted GPA of 3.9167, and he mentors elementary students through Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
In addition to his acceptance into West Point, Alexander has also been accepted into the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.
DCPS' Students Ride into Concours d'Elegance
On March 13, more than 400 high school students from Ed White, Sandalwood and A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology visited the Concours d'Elegance, held outside the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island.
The Concours d'Elegance, which began on Amelia Island in 1995, is a classic and antique car show held in Florida, Meadow Brook in Detroit, Michigan and Pebble Beach, California. An estimated 15,000 people visited this year's show.
During the event, students heard a panel discussion from many of the most famous automobile designers and crafters, including television personalities Chip Foose from Overhaulin and Beau Boeckmann from MTV's Pimp My Ride.
According to Phil Little, Duval County Public Schools' coordinator of American history and the organizer of the students' visit, the Concours d'Elegance provided students with a positive outlook and motivation for their own future careers.
"The Concours program has evolved from a purely automotive historical perspective to one where students are inspired to greater personal accomplishments because of meeting highly successful people they never would have met, and hearing these individuals’ stories of starting from humble beginnings and attaining great success," said Little.
For more information about the Concours, visit
http://www.ameliaconcours.org/.
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