"These are the invisible kids," says Greta Black who is a tutor in a new program spreading rapidly across the United States called AVID.

Black is one of several adults accompanying about 50 junior high students who arrived at Hardin-Simmons University. The students are here to get a feel for what they can expect from a college campus.

AVID is an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

Teacher Amanda Hart explains that most of the students in the program come in to it making grades in the 70s or lower. "The college prep program takes students who have been fairly disinterested and gives them an opportunity to focus their lives and see their potential."

Leaving at close to seven this morning, the Bonham Junior High students had a three-hour drive on a yellow-dog bus ahead of them as they left the parking lot of their school in Odessa.

Their enthusiasm and high spirits is apparent as they arrive on campus. The first stop is the Dyess Welcome Center where they organize with HSU student tour guides.
Ron Rossingh, a 15-year-old AVID student says, "This program has changed me. I'm not perfect, but I don't mind telling you I'm making high grades now, like in the upper 90s."

Ryan Deeds says, "I do the best I can now on everything I do! It makes me think through my dreams. I want to be a guitarist. Now I'm doing it--not just sitting around and thinking about it."

Ron adds, "It makes me more focused. I don't procrastinate anymore. I just do it!" Both say they are definitely more organized.

Hart says seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in the program are tutored by college students. "This helps the AVID students see where they themselves could be one day. That's why we are exploring campuses like HSU, so these students can see what's out there--see what the opportunities are and where they are."

This is the second AVID group from Ector County that has visited the Hardin-Simmons campus in the last several months.

Dr. Shane Davidson, who is HSU's vice president for enrollment says, "We are glad to partner with groups who help students. Summer is a great time to do it. I think our central location and the fact that there are many colleges here makes Abilene a top choice. The sooner we can introduce students to college life, the more opportunity we have to show them what college can do for them."

Hart concurs. "We come to Abilene because it's like Jackpot; there are several universities here that we can look at." She says her students have also visited Odessa College and UTPB.

Tutor Greta Black, who has over 200 hours of college credit herself, says of the students, "I probably have learned more from them than I have been able to teach them. I've learned, for instance, that the more you expect from them, the more you get! This program gives them the support and opportunity they need to be successful. It absolutely rocks!"

Davidson says he is thrilled that Hardin-Simmons can be a part of such a program and he hopes all of the colleges here will make lasting impressions on the students.

Photos: AVID students with teacher Amanda Hart (right) and tutor Greta Black (left) in front; Students Ron Rossingh and Ryan Deeds