Festival Foods Chairman Dave Skogen speaks to Logan AVID students at a picnic June 2 honoring the successful completion of the first year of AVID.

Dave and Barb Skogen host event for Logan students

A group of about 50 students, staff and guests gathered June 2 to celebrate a successful first year for the AVID program at Logan High School.

Festival Foods Chairman Dave Skogen and his wife Barb hosted the special event at the Cleary Center on the campus of UW-La Crosse.

Logan High AVID teacher Andrea Kramer.

Dave Skogen has visited and spoken to the AVID classes at Logan High, supporting the efforts of teacher Andrea Kramer. He has shared his life experiences and some of the key characteristics needed to succeed in business, and in life. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination and Dave Skogen’s message reinforces the program’s key points about self-reliance and overcoming obstacles.

Logan students and staff took special note of his efforts. Tony DePaolo, dean of students at Logan, offered thanks to the Skogens on behalf of all in attendance, but students and others went out of their way throughout the evening to thank the couple personally.

DePaolo served as emcee for a brief program, starting with some inspirational remarks about how the students were shaping the identity of Logan’s AVID program and bringing it into focus. The freshmen and sophomores were then presented with certificates for completing the year. Finally, each student was asked to sign a “contract”  listing goals, responsibilities and the students’ agreement for the 2015-16 school year.

Several students then shared what AVID has meant to them this past year. Among the remarks:

“I met my AVID family.”

“I gained courage — just to stand up here.”

“It challenged me to come out of my shell.”

“It taught me a lot about college and things I actually might like to do as a job.”

“It helped me deal with family problems – I have a lot of problems at home.”

“I realize how much is being done for us (by teachers) — and I realized I might like to do just that.”

“It is allowing me to build that foundation for success … not that anyone can do (for me), but that only myself can do.”

Destin Petersen celebrates with a fist bump with Dean of Students Tony DePaolo.