By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
It was a proud day for Marshall Middle School Nov. 6, when Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and AVID coordinators came to a special presentation at the school to revalidate the AVID program until 2016.
The AVID program, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is an academic elective that supports kids who may be the first in their families to go to college or who have a desire to go to college. The program offers rigorous classes and support.
Marshall is one of five AVID demonstration schools in Florida. There are fewer than 150 demonstration schools nationwide.
The revalidation brought tears to the eyes of Marshall’s AVID Implementation Specialist Elisa Humphrey.
“AVID is huge in our county,” Humphrey said. “It is at every middle and high school. Marshall works hard to do what’s right for kids.”
Parents, teachers, students and even the Marshall’s dragon mascot gathered to celebrate the revalidation.
“I had to cut off how many students could attend, because all the AVID students wanted to come,” Humphrey said.