AVID Students Visit The University of Virginia

10 May 2007 I visited The University of Virginia in Charlottesville today with students who are a part of the AVID program at Fairfax High School. When we arrived, the assistant dean of admissions, Valerie Gregory, spoke with the students. In addition to providing a brief history of UVA, Dean Gregory emphasized the importance of the personal essay as part of the application process; she told the students that the essay is the one thing that gives applicants an opportunity to share the uniqueness of their experiences with the admissions team. Dean Gregory also reminded the students that the admissions process is about finding a college that is the best individual fit. The students asked insightful, relevant questions about campus life and the college experience.

After a student-led campus tour (filled with lots of walking), the we ate lunch in the Newcomb Hall cafeteria. Fascinated by the all-you-can-eat-style dining, the students sampled sandwiches, home-made waffles, cheeseburger fries, corn dogs, pasta, veggie burgers, soft-serve (butterscotch, ewww!) ice cream and more.

Before leaving the campus, we went to the UVA bookstore. Almost everyone found some kind of UVA souvenir to take home. I could not leave without buying Sharpies in all the summer colors! I certainly look forward to visiting more campuses with the junior and senior AVID classes next year.

By the way, we made it back to Fairfax High School in time for the late buses. Thank you guys for being great Fairfax High School representatives today.

My Friend Writes a Weekly Column

This is my friend, Rochelle Williams, who is a columnist for The Fayetteville Observer. Her column is published each Friday; read it when you have a chance. Post a comment after you read! Feel free to send Ms. Williams an email response to her column(s).

Little Rock Can't Escape Race

Here is an interesting article from The New York Times today. Read it, and let me know what you think. You can post your reply under "comments".

Hello, students!

I created this blog for the expressed purpose of communicating with my students in in a way that is a little more relaxed than our daily interaction with each other. Often, I want to recommend a movie, a book or just tell a funny story, but time (curriculum) does not permit. There are always academic things to do, and those things take precedence over any of my recommendations or funny stories. However, as I learn how to better use technology, I can use the blogsphere to strengthen our understanding of each other.