Winter Highlights 2014-2015

TAFT’S AVID PROGRAM “Excellence in

Leadership and Academics”

Academic Accomplishments • AVID seniors are working on college and scholarships applications. They also worked

with LadderUp filling out the FAFSA application.

• AVID senior Isabelle Eiden was awarded the Posse Foundation Scholarship. This award is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA

• All AVID II students will be starting the TEAMCorp Program which focuses on building up business skills such as interviewing tips and resume building.

• In February, Mr. McGowan and Mrs. Newton's AVID II classes are participating in the Poetry Out Loud competition.

• For AVID II student Michelle Volpe’s MYP personal project, she is making a skirt and dress. She is already done with her skirt and is taking sewing classes every Thursday at Rosedale Park.

AVID Community Events • On Monday, November 17th and Tuesday, November 18th, AVID families and teachers

went to The AVID Program’s benefit night at Graziano’s. Over $700 was raised!!!

• The AVID Annual Potluck Holiday Party was celebrated by over 100 students, teachers, and even alumni before Winter Break.

Honors/Achievements

• Kevin Vilchis (AVID II) was nominated for the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence. This nomination includes a three day trip to Boston, MA (Pictured right).

• Kathryn Jankowski and Stephanie Madl (AVID II) are participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Drive.

• Ivan Chavez (AVID II) won the Silver Gloves state championship for boxing.

• Michelle and Joel Gonzalez (AVID II) performed a cultural dance at the Copernicus Center during a fundraiser supporting cancer research.

• Jacqueline Mendoza (AVID I) graduated a 3-day gymnastics clinic at Sokol Tabor. (Pictured Left)

• Sami Lin (AVID II) is performing a free concert fundraiser for the AVID program on Feb 20th at the Norwood Park Metra Station. Come out and support both Sami and AVID!

Winter Sports

• Sam Kliber (AVID II) is the Varsity Boys Basketball Manager.

• Dominick Bednarek and Ben Talbot (AVID II) are both members of the Junior Varsity Basketball Team.

• Mark Van Giesen (AVID IV) is captain of Taft’s Hockey Team, which is composed of players from Taft, Lane Tech, and DePaul College Prep High Schools. Recently, they beat their rival, Lydon, in an overtime shootout.

• Javier Ortiz (AVID II) is now a swimmer for the THS Swim

• Daniel Gallo (AVID III), Vince Rangel (AVID II), and Liam Davis (AVID II) all competed in the varsity CPS wrestling championships. Gallo placed 1st and Rangel placed 2nd in their weight classes.

Track Field Team---Roberto Juarez (AVID IV), Jocelyne Mendoza (AVID IV), Anna Radziewska (AVID IV), and Bella Ryan (AVID II) are all members.

• AVID students Jennifer Perez (AVID IV), Katherine Chavarria (AVID IV), Stephanie Wilczynski (AVID IV), Claudia Glodz (AVID IV), Emily Vasquez (AVID IV), and Katelynn Bouboulinis (AVID III) contributed to last month's victory at the City Championship for Poms. Our Lady Eagles defeated Northside College Prep, Lane Tech and other schools for the win. Congratulations!

• Hayley Mayrens (AVID II) is a member of the Bowling Team.

Winter Clubs • Kaela Gutierrez (AVID I) is a member of the International

Food Club, sponsored by Mr. Yesensky.

• Senior Committee Vice President Celeste Castillo (AVID IV) and Secretary Alexis Perez (AVID IV) work with the other Senior Committee officers on events such as Prom and Grad Night 2015 at Six Flags Great America.

• Ivan Chavez (AVID II) is both a member and the Vice-President of Christian Club.

• Kandance McGee (AVID II) joined the guitar club.

• Colleen Kane (AVID II) earned a spot in the production of Hello Dolly.

• Freddy Gomez (AVID II) is a member of the NJROTC Drill Team.

More Photos from our Winter Potluck

THS AVID Staff AVID Coordinators: Seamus McGowan and Anil Menon spmcgowan@cps.edu & amenon@cps.edu AVID Teachers: Juan Salinas, Brenda McGeever, Sergio Santillan, Jessica Lane, Barbara Newton, Linda Bahavilai AVID Interns: Veronika Klocek, Stephanie Wilczynski, Jonathan Sandoval, Arturo Cadena, Olivia Martin, Jocelyn Mendoza, Isabelle Eiden AVID Counselors: Melissa Gallagher, Sonia Abrego

PARENTS: Thank You for your Support and Involvement!