Meet AVID Alumni

Read this page to meet some AVID alumni from Steele! Find out why they joined AVID as well as their advice for students. Simply just hover over the photo!!

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Class of 2008-2020

Lysette Mata (Sanchez)

Registered Nurse -

Always follow your ambitions and goals and never stop focusing on your education.

Robbie Swartchick

Billing for a Travel Nurse Agency -

I joined AVID in 9th grade to help prepare me for college. I always knew I wanted to go to college but did not know the skills needed to get there. I honestly owe all my success in life to AVID. I was the only one out of my close group of friends in high school to go to and graduate from a 4 year university. I even met my wife in AVID. While attending SDSU my now wife and I were AVID tutors. AVID helped keep me focused.

Alexis Simmons (Napier)

Psychology-Physician's Assistant -

I wanted to be prepared for college because I knew it would be challenging. I am grateful that AVID did that and more. In my college courses, I am typically ahead of my classmates in understanding classroom content and organization. If I am not ahead, I am able to quickly adjust to Professor expectations because of what I learned in AVID. Learn how to advocate for yourself to teachers because In college you will need this skills. Utilize your AVID teacher when learning this skill, they always have your back. Also, learning what organization system works best for them when completing school work.

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Chris Hostetler

Business Administration/Political Sci; GEICO Claims Manager -

Be aggressive with your studies. What you learn and the processes you establish will carry over throughout the rest of your life and are an easy way to develop GRIT. Be open to new ideas and continue to diversify what you are learning and who you know. These relationships will allow you a better transition into college and then the job market.

David Mai

Technical Training - Cell Therapy

Overall I wanted to prepare for college and have extra help with school. However, I received much more than that and have been able to take along life skills that I use in both my professional and daily life. Intrinsically I know if I had not been in AVID I would not be where I am today. I think students should focus on organizing their path to success. You don't have to plan out your entire life but you should definitely write down your future goals. I find the really important part is to set time aside to reevaluate the progress you have made and whether you are satisfied with that. Dream big and filling in those gaps will be much easier than you may have thought.

Taylor Akers

Teacher/Biologist -

Don’t worry about trying to decide what you want to “do” with your life, as if your decision now will set your future in stone. Things are constantly changing, and time provides us with perspectives and experiences that shape us. Oh, and have some fun! Organization (of physical things and information), time management, prioritizing and balancing all the “to do”s with your physical and mental health. Take deep breaths, write a new list of priorities frequently and adopt a healthy routine of exercise, and meditation. Dance while your onions sauté.

Edmond Jacob

Data Science/ Substitute Teacher -

Focus on time management like planning out each day and finishing assignments early just in case things come up during the week and you can sleep earlier each night and don't procrastinate

Maddie O

B.A. in English -

Keep going no matter what route you take! Keep focusing on your goals and do what is best for you. Everyone has a different path.

Jovahn Thomas

M.A. in Education - Substitute Teacher/ Priv. Tutor -

As great as you think you're doing, find out how you can do even better than your own best. Think about the bigger picture, create a beautiful vision for yourself, and use that as the guiding force to lead to your success.

Sekani Robinson

Sociology/ PhD Candidate -

Really research and explore colleges outside of California. Don’t shy away from Ivy leagues. Really decide what your interest are and where you see yourself living and what you’ll be doing in the future.

Danika Voight

Masters Student at Pepperdine University -

Believe in yourself regardless of how others see you! Get the support now while you can

Jacquline Magdaleno

Nursing w/ Minor in Photography -

Continue living for you and also appreciate who and what is around you one day it’ll change and you’ll want to go back and appreciate it more. Learn how to take chances on what you want, how to overcome the overthinking or what if’s and just go for it. As well as accept that sometimes failure will come when you do try and it’s nothing to get down on yourself about, understand that if you can continue to learn and adapt success will eventually come.

Andre Fitzmaurice

Assistant Manager of Sherwin Williams in Phoenix Arizona -

Don’t over do it. Give it your all with what you can control. Simply be yourself. Time is the essence of everything important in this world. It takes time to learn, to have fun, and to work hard. Manage it correctly and the world will open up an abundance of different doors. But also enjoy the time that you have

Andre Fitzmaurice

Assistant Manager of Sherwin Williams in Phoenix Arizona -

Lauren Fleming

Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering; Engineer at a Medical Device Company -

Figure out the best ways to teach yourself curriculum while in high school. It's great that teachers give you so many learning resources now, but soon you'll have to do it yourself. Pivot your approach to school away from a checklist that needs to be completed and instead focus on the aspects of learning that interest you. Take time to pause and think about what you're passionate about. If it fits with your skill set, then follow that

Roberto Abril Valenzuela

Physics PhD Student -

Research, plan ahead, and be yourself. Focus on yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions at any time!

Josh Palmer

Public Administration Major/Site Safety & Health Officer -

You're not as strong or as important as you think you are! So take time to form better relationships with others and value the good things in your life since there's a lot of challenges ahead. Putting more effort into understanding rather than just memorizing. Also, find ways to personally connect to what you're learning so that you can be interested in what's being taught to you.

Marlon Macalindal

BS Kinesiology/ BA Asian American Studies -

#1 MAKE STUDY GROUPS WITH FRIENDS. If Pre Calc with Mrs. B taught me anything at SCHS it was studying with friends is much much muuuuch better and productive with other people. Doing this will also open up your friend circle which is always fun. #2 If you work in college, make sure you request time off during test seasons. Give yourself that study and rest time. Nothing is more stressful than working during finals week. #3 GO TO OFFICE HOURS! It not only helps you study but it helps you build a relationship with your professors. Make sure you leave a good lasting impression because you can always go back to them for things like letters of rec.

Akira Hood

Volunteer Coordinator -

I joined AVID because I wanted the tools and support to get in college and to succeed in college. I wanted to set myself up for success in high school so that the transition for college would be easier. Build good study habits while you're in high school so you know how to study in college. Also, learn how to manage your time. In college you’re given a lot of down time so learn how to balance your social and academic life. Doing this will allow you to enjoy college while getting good grades.

Marlon Macalinda

BS in Kinesiology/BA in Asian American Studies

#1 MAKE STUDY GROUPS WITH FRIENDS. If Pre Calc with Mrs. B taught me anything at SCHS it was studying with friends is much much muuuuch better and productive with other people. Doing this will also open up your friend circle which is always fun. #2 If you work in college, make sure you request time off during test seasons. Give yourself that study and rest time. Nothing is more stressful than working during finals week. #3 GO TO OFFICE HOURS! It not only helps you study but it helps you build a relationship with your professors. Make sure you leave a good lasting impression because you can always go back to them for things like letters of rec.

Austin Garmo

BS Joint Mathematics and Economics -

Aim small, miss small. Be specific in what you want to achieve and set goals to do so. Balance. The ultimate goal of this program is not just to get you accepted into a university, but also to prepare you for the environment of a college student. Get your work done, but also make time to invest in the social part of your life. It will prepare you in the long run for the social aspect of the corporate world.

AJ Stevens

Choral Music Education -

I joined because I wanted to go to college, but as a first-generation college student I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully, I got the help I needed and an experience I will never forget. Be open to trying new things, follow your heart, and don't take yourself too seriously. Life is meant for experimentation and you should be free to make mistakes and learn from them.

Kat Hewett

Elementary Special Education Teacher -

Studying is great, and it doesn't hurt to work hard to get good grades, but make sure you also invest time into relationships with your classmates. College will come in its time; enjoy high school while you're in it! Work-Life balance: spend time studying and being a good student, but also take time to rest, build relationships, and don't forget to have fun once in a while.

Maria Contreras

Marketing -

When applying to colleges look into everything. Everything matters! The location, financial aid packages, majors available, etc. Make sure focus on networking for success. Start with teachers and college counselors for any future letter of recommendations or even volunteering hours.

Brianna Neri

Special Education Teacher -

Practice self-care. It’s okay to not finish everything on your to do list. You must take care of yourself in order to keep moving forward. Go for what you love. If you are going to spend years on an education, make sure it is for something you love and have a passion for. You want work to not feel like work.

Maquela Aguilar

Sociology-

Don't worry too much about what` other people think, it's high school! Just do what you wanna do. Focus on yourself! Don't waste your time with stupid stuff, try to focus on doing the best you can in school to give yourself the best chance at doing what you wanna do post-high school. With that being said, don't overwork yourselves, just do the best you can-- that's all that matters.`

Ben Bullock

Environmental Science -

I wanted to join a group of students who were all in the same situation as myself. Preparing for college is difficult, but having people around you who are going through the same classes and applying for college like you is nice. You are able to use them as a support network and they will always have your back. Additionally, I made some great friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. That’s a pretty great bonus in my opinion.

Kyree Woods

Electrical Engineering -

Take all information regarding notes more serious. Make organizing all your schoolwork a habit so it is something you do unconsciously.

Michael Murphy

Construction Engineering -

I would tell my high school self to be more involved in different extra curricular activities. Another thing that I would tell myself is to definitely take more AP classes in high school because they will definitely pay off in college. Current students should really focus on being the best student they can. Focusing on school and not allowing other distractions to creep in will allow you to be successful in college.

Nathalia Castro

International Business and Business Management -

Don't be afraid to make more friends and get out of your comfort zone. Keep establishing goals all throughout their life, as well as being able to choose what you will do to accomplish them.

Miriam Bernal

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement -

Don’t think too far ahead where it takes away from your experience of being a student. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on being better each day, investing in yourself as individuals. Learn how to be resilient through hardships.

Andree Garcia

Public Health, AVID Tutor -

Enjoy your teenage years because adulthood is serious! Take advantage of what Avid offers because everything taught will be very helpful in the future.

Anelle Santana

Interior Design -

Maintain close to those you know have the same goals that you have, and don’t stress about the little things that don’t matter. Make sure to do extra curricular activities that have to do with your major and find the strategies of studying that work best for you

Fulla Hindi

Biology -

I joined Avid because it was a great opportunity for me to focus and achieve my future goals. As well as being a good and strong college applicant. The advice I would give to my high school self is to take every opportunity given to me no matter what the outcome is. Students should really focus on what’s best for them, not what society thinks is best for them. Focus the the career you want to achieve and set goals for yourself. Everything is possible.

Melauni Korkis

Business/Finance -

Stop procrastinating and get it done! Find out what you’re actually passionate about and focus on that as a career, you’ll be a lot happier.

Brionna Stevens

Government Legal Studies

One piece of advice I would give myself is to not procrastinate and do your work to the best of your ability. I think you should set the goals you want to make and do your best to achieve them to get to where you want to go. Setting goals for myself has helped me. Also just try not to procrastinate it does not help you.

Emelliah Vaught

Molecular and Cellular Biology -

Find a good balance. Work hard, play hard! Focus on Organization and creating study habits that work for YOU. Also make sure to listen/take care of your body and give yourself a break when needed <3

Rhianna Speck

Psychology -

I was a first generation student and knew I wanted to go to college when I graduated. Advice to my high school self: Stop spending time and energy on things that don’t matter and take college credits at a community college. Explore more of the majors that may interest yiou before getting to college.

Grace Janis

Animal Science -

A piece of advice I would give to my high school self would be to surround myself with more people who take their education seriously. Focus on to be successful is reminding yourself that every assignment you turn in is one step closer to attending the university of ypour dreams.

Maury Wolfegar Garcia

Army -

Make sure to focus on your GPA and mental health.

Maury Wolfegar Garcia

Army -

Make sure to focus on your GPA and mental health.