The Greenwich Alliance for Education recognized the Greenwich Public School AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination), celebrating the AVID students, their families, and their teachers from 2013-2023. Held at Arch Street Teen Center in Greenwich on Saturday, June 10, “The PARTY” marked ten years of college dreams made possible by the Greenwich Alliance for Education. Adorning the walls were hundreds of black and white portraits of Greenwich High School AVID students taken over the years by teacher Ken Alcorn to showcase the program’s impact.
The evening’s speeches were inspiring and grateful, looking back at a decade of empowering young minds. The benefit fundraiser included an exceptional performance by Kovac Brothers led by Greenwich High School AVID teacher Frank Kovac. Other Greenwich Public School administrators and teachers in attendance included GPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, Greenwich High School Principal Ralph Mayo, retiring Western Middle School Principal Gordon Beinstein, Western Middle School Assistant Principal Erin Montague, GHS AVID teachers Missy Brown, Franny Bittman, Evan Olmstead, Ken Alcorn, Megan Ostruzka, Pilar Rabassa, Jill Bowcock (former); GHS AVID Site Director and Guidance Counselor Mara Subach, former Greenwich Public Schools AVID District Director Judy Nedell and Dr. Sarah Goldin, former GHS AVID teacher and Chairman of the Greenwich Alliance for Education.
Brown said she was honored to be an AVID teacher and work with the Greenwich Alliance. She spoke to AVID alums in the crowd re-iterating that AVID will have a lifetime impact on them, predicting that the program means more to the young adults now as they look back in hindsight and understand the full implications AVID has had and will continue to have on their lives. A total of 337 AVID students graduated between 2013 and 2023 with the skills to think critically, collaborate, and advocate to conquer challenges they may meet in college and career with confidence.
AVID began as and continues to be a shared vision and commitment between the Greenwich Alliance and Greenwich Public Schools. A national college-readiness system, AVID’s mission is to close the education opportunity gap by preparing students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. They graduate and attend college at higher rates than their high school peers. The program was initially funded by a grant from the Alliance in 2008. Greenwich Public Schools now runs the program, although the Alliance continues to support students, teachers, and alums through AVID SUCCESS.
Greenwich Alliance for Education Executive Director Julie Faryniarz said the event was successful. “We were so thrilled to be together to celebrate the academic achievements of over 300 students in the past decade. It is gratifying to see students who once thought college was not attainable graduate with honors and begin promising futures,” said Faryniarz.
Over 150 supporters came to celebrate with AVID alums. At the event, Faryniarz welcomed everyone and thanked sponsors, including Greenwich Leadership Partners, the AVID Champion lead sponsor; MCB Consulting, the AVID Trailblazer sponsor; The First Bank of Greenwich, the Decor Sponsor; and Members Credit Union. First Selectman Fred Camillo read a proclamation recognizing Saturday, June 10, as Greenwich Alliance for Education AVID Day. Selectwomen Lauren Rabin and Janet Stone McGuigan, Greenwich Board of Education Chair Joe Kelly, and Demetria Nelson, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services for the Town of Greenwich, were also in hand for the celebration.
In-kind support included Arch Street Teen Center, Greenwich Magazine and Moffly Media, Anne Hamilton – Venture Photography, Cheryl Moss Photos, Greenwich Staffing, dozens of local merchant donors to the event’s silent auction, wine donated by Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquor, beverages donated by PepsiCo, and Cathy Blood of Nest New Media, Event Planner Sue Bodson of Emboss, LLC with decor design by Marlene Gilbert and Jane Hentemann. Pizza Luca and the Taco Guy provided food.
To support the Greenwich Alliance for Education AVID Scholarship Fund, please visit https://bit.ly/GreenwichAllianceDonate.
