Danville students find new opportunities in AVID program

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at Mark Denman Elementary school in Danville got to take part in Career Day on Friday. It’s part of their AVID program to help kids find more opportunities.

It’s college and career Advancement Via Individual Determination Day, also known as AVID Day. Mark Denman Elementary School’s motto is empowering students to live a life full of possibility.

Second-grade teacher Heidi Crane said the event helps kids realize that when they are responsible and organized, they can accomplish their dreams.

Crane said that before COVID, the school would have guests come in to talk about their careers.

“[We] had a full day with like 30 to 40 presenters and we shuffled around the school and we went to different rooms” Crane said. “Now, this is like our fourth or fifth Friday. We tried making it a little bit more calmer.”

She said students have been finding new careers each month that they’re interested in.

Two fourth-graders, Juhana Garcia Ramirez and Jahciyus Walker said their dream is to work in the news. They added that their school has reporters called technical communicators.

“I love doing that and talking to the whole entire school about the school things,” Garcia Ramirez added.

Different groups share daily school announcements to help keep students on the right track. And it’s one way they’re creating new opportunities for their students. Mark Denman elementary does career day every fourth Friday of the month.

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