Radford’s Advancement Via Individual Determination program held its annual Parent Night at the school cafeteria on Sept. 10. Families were treated to an informational presentation, took part in an interactive activity, and met and greeted their children’s AVID teacher.

College counselor Malia Kau engaged parents in a Grade Point Average activity where students and adults alike, learned about what it takes to gain admission into college.

“AVID is where students build their skills and knowledge to be successful in college,” she said.

Emcee and senior Khailie Parinas is a fourth-year member in the AVID program. She plans to apply to San Francisco University, San Diego University, and University of Puget Sound.

“During our first three years in AVID, we’ve been busy setting goals, researching careers and colleges, preparing for the SAT and ACT, and using WICOR strategies to be college-ready,” read Parinas to the audience.

Co-emcee and senior Tyler Kaanapu is a first year student in the AVID program. He has plans to apply to Chico State University, Western Washington University, and Humboldt State University.

“Senior year is just as busy as we narrow down our top colleges, sit in on college presentations, complete our Senior Project, and apply for scholarships and colleges,”  Kaanapu read.

In an informal induction ceremony, AVID pins were presented to new students to the program.

“The reason I’m in AVID is because I want to be the first in my family, and I mean my whole family on both sides to go to college,” first year AVID student Karvin Chai-Whitford (9) said. “I want to make my family proud and get a [degree] in some kind of art.”