AVID students are impressive

"What is more likely to happen first: we walk on Mars or women achieve pay equity?" That was the opening sentence by Paula Serrano as she gave her speech on Friday, Jan. 29, at the AAUW (American Association of University Women) AVID Speech Trek contest for FUHS girls.

The four AVID girls who prepared and presented a five- to six-minute speech at Fallbrook Library on "Gender Bias and Inequality" were awe-inspiring to a large group of family and friends.

These girls, Suzetty Castellanos, Nicole Gonzales, Esmeralda Guittierez, and Paula Serrano, are being mentored by AAUW women who support, encourage, listen to, interact with, and as an organization, open educational opportunities for women.

Karen Langer Baker and Rosemary West are the selfless leaders who gave their time to lead and work with everyone in the program. "Public speaking is important to everyone's career," said Carol Hughes of Fallbrook Toastmasters who assisted the speechmakers as well. Judge Paul Schumann, current president of Toastmasters, said, unequivocally, that these four girls were more advanced in making a speech than many Toastmasters.

And, don't under estimate how much courage and tenacity it takes to stand before a group for the first time and make a speech. That is why these young women in the AVID Mentorship Program will be the leaders of the future. Take heart. And, thank you to everyone: moms, dads, teachers, school administrators, judges, and mentors.

Beverly Thordarson

Fallbrook AAUW member