MHS AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination] students Daniel Nieto and Erik Costello have been selected to participate in competitive summer college programs. Nieto is heading to Hyde Park for the University of Chicago’s week-long residential FloChicago community leadership program, and Costello will travel to Lafayette, Indiana, for Purdue University’s STEP program-- Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects.

Future Leaders of Chicago invites prominent civic and business leaders to share experiences and challenges and introduces students to the complexities of societal concerns within an urban context. Students tackle such complex issues as public education, gentrification and poverty. “We had nearly 200 students interested in the program this year,” said Katie Hytros, executive director of the program. Only 30 are selected for the program. “Our goal is to help forge Chicago's next generation of leaders. To do so, we bring together diverse student leaders from across the Chicago area. By investing in these future leaders, we believe we will help to ensure a better Chicago in the future,”Hytros said.

Nieto is interested in expanding his understanding of how psychology can be applied to serve communities, and hopes to return to MHS with a new toolbox of leadership ideas. He was influential in bringing a cultural dance, El Baille, to the school, and hopes to find other ways to make appreciating other cultures a part of the everyday lifestyle at MHS. “Each FloChicago student is assigned a mentor and we’ll meet with that person throughout the school year,” Nieto explained. “I’m excited to find out what the future brings.”

Costello will join students from around the country at Purdue University which is nationally-ranked for its engineering programs.  While attending STEP, students will learn fundamental engineering design skills using the job-based model of creating teams to compete in a multi-faceted design challenge.

Both students are enrolled in the AVID  which offers a four-year study skills curriculum while informing students about all aspects of the college admissions journey.  AVID site coordinator and MHS faculty member Melissa Schaefer explained the program’s emphasis on students’ holistic development.  “As part of our goal to make sure AVID students are not just college eligible, but college ready, AVID students are introduced to programs at colleges and universities.  These summer experiences not only increase their leadership capacity, but help them form lasting relationships with professionals who can help mentor them as they continue on to college.”

Click here to learn more about AVID at MHS