TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Savon Williams

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Savon Williams practiced his speech at The Church of Heaven's Harvest. His father, Ray, the church's pastor, worked with Savon to make sure he had the words just right for an anticipated audience of nearly 3,000 educators.

"It's in his heart," the elder Williams said, satisfied with what he heard. "I feel really blessed."

Savon, 14, who last month completed eighth grade at Ferrell Middle Magnet School, won a $500 scholarship in a national essay contest sponsored by Advancement Via Individual Determination. He lives in the University Area with his father, mother, Carrie, two brothers and a sister.

As part of the award, he gave his speech at an AVID seminar July 2 in Orlando. It is one of several events that AVID plans to hold across the country featuring students as guest speakers.

The AVID program is adopted by school districts to encourage fourth- through 12th-graders to take college-preparatory courses. It was created in 1980 as part of San Diego's school integration plan but has evolved into a nonprofit organization that provides support to about 3,500 schools in 45 states.

The goal is to improve grades and test scores, and increase the number of low-income and minority students pursuing four-year degrees.

Q. How were you chosen for the AVID program?

A. A few people were selected out of our school and I was one. ... The main thing they looked at was your grades and if you were self-motivated. My parents help me and push me, and that's what keeps me going.

God plays an awesome part in my life, and he's why these doors are opening up for me.

Q. How has the program helped you?

A. I'm getting more A's than I have before. My best and favorite subject is math. I want to be an architect, and math is a major part of that.

It opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I got to meet new people and build closer relationships with some of my friends and my family.

Q. What was the topic of your winning essay?

A. It basically shows society that young African-Americans can be somebody. My main focus is that young African-Americans are not graduating. The essay says about 41 percent of black males graduate from high school. But we don't have to be just another statistic.

Q. What school activities do you enjoy?

A. I was vice president of Ferrell's student council. I play point guard in basketball and also football and track, and was in an after-school tutoring program, Gear Up. I will be in ninth grade in the fall at Tampa Bay Technical.

Q. Talk about your part-time job at a local Boys & Girls Club.

A. I got that job through the Gear Up program when the Boys & Girls Club interviewed at my school. My job is to help with the little kids. It's an experience for me to see how the real world is and how a job is. When I get home, I'm knocked out. I'm tired, but I'm learning a lot.

Q. Have you earned other honors beside the AVID scholarship?

A. I have a scholarship from the Kimmins Foundation that will pay for tuition and books at a two-year community college and then two years at a university. I did a history project on Duke University, and that is where I'd like to go.

I received a President's Award sponsored through the U.S. Department of Education, which includes a signed certificate and letter from the president.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT