City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, for 45 years, the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program has been a national leader in closing opportunity gaps and preparing students for college, careers, and life; and
WHEREAS, the AVID College Readiness system represents a significant and long - standing investment in our city’s future, with a foundational partnership in our community for over 25 years, serving thousands of students across eleven schools in the San ta Maria-Bonita and Santa Maria Joint Union High School Districts; and
WHEREAS, AVID in Santa Maira champions educational equity, with about 81% of local high school AVID students on track to be the first in their families to graduate from a four-year university, creating a powerful legacy of upward mobility; and
WHEREAS, the s trength of Santa Maria’s AVID system is built upon its passionate educators, with hundreds of teachers, counselors, and administrators having participated in rigorous AVID profess ional development to foster a un ified, college -going culture in our schools; and
WHEREAS, the results of this dedication are clear and compelling, as demonstrated by the most recent graduating class, of which 95% were accepted to a four-year college or university and collect ively earning thousands of dollars in academic sc holarships and grants ; and
WHEREAS, the AVID program cultivates the next generation of engaged citizens and leaders whose contributions will be essential to the future prosperity, innovation, and civic health of the City of Santa Maria.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby proclaim September 12, 2025, as:
“AVID DAY”
in the City of Santa Maria and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the immense contributions of the AVID program, its dedicated students, educators, and supportive families to the success and vitality of our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 16th day of September 2025.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor