A Legacy of Opportunity
For more than 27 years, San Dieguito High School Academy’s AVID program has opened doors for first-generation and low-income students through its annual College Bus Tour—an immersive experience that helps them visualize their future in higher education.
This year, thanks to community contributions, including a $1,500 donation from Coastal Encinitas Rotary, 52 students will travel to Southern California campuses for a two-day trip, October 24–25.
Community Support in Action
The program, led by AVID Site Coordinator Ruth Magnuson, has become a cornerstone of college readiness at the school.
“Without the support of Rotary and other community donors, we wouldn’t be able to take as many students,” Magnuson said. “We also offer more than 20 scholarships, so students don’t have to pay. For many families, even $120 or $200 can make participation out of reach.”
Funding for the trip, estimated at $8,000–$10,000, comes from student fundraising and community support. AVID students sell chocolate in the fall and manage graduation concessions to help cover costs.
College Campuses Come to Life
This year’s itinerary includes UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Channel Islands, Cal State Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, Cal State Fullerton, and UC Irvine, with students staying overnight in Los Angeles.
During campus stops, they participate in guided tours, admissions briefings, and financial aid discussions, taking notes and reflecting on what they learn along the way.
Seeing Themselves in College
“The goal is to inspire and motivate students to see themselves in college,” said AVID teacher Rob Ross. “For many of our students, a college campus can feel like Mars—an alien environment they’ve never visited. This trip helps them see what’s possible and meet students who look like them and have made it a reality.”
Inspiration That Lasts
Former AVID student Michelle Camacho, once a first-generation, low-income student from Encinitas, was recently sworn in as a lawyer—one of many success stories inspired by the program.
Current student Camila Aragon shared, “The college tour gave me hope and motivation to see what being in college could be like. As a first-generation student, that means everything.”
Rotary Adds a Personal Touch
Coastal Encinitas Rotary’s Youth Chair, Marti Rosenberg, helps coordinate the club’s involvement and is adding a thoughtful touch this year—goodie bags for each student, filled with a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and other small comforts for the journey.
Through the partnership of educators, community organizations, and donors like Coastal Encinitas Rotary, the AVID College Bus Tour continues to transform uncertainty into ambition—and ambition into achievement.