Coastal Encinitas Rotary donation fuels 27-year AVID college tour tradition

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 journey that helps students visualize their future in higher education.

This year, thanks to community contributions, including a $1,500 donation from the Coastal Encinitas Rotary, 52 students will travel to Southern California campuses for a two-day tour on Oct. 24–25, according to a news release.

The program, overseen by AVID Site Coordinator Ruth Magnuson, is a cornerstone of the academy’s efforts to promote college readiness.

“Without the support of Rotary and other community donors, we wouldn’t be able to take as many students,” said Magnuson in the news release. “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 a combination of student fundraising and community donations. AVID students sell chocolate in the fall and manage concessions during the school’s graduation ceremony to help cover costs.

This year’s itinerary includes visits to 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 their experiences along the way.

“The main goal of the trip is to inspire and motivate students to see themselves in college,” said AVID teacher Rob Ross in the news release. “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.”

That vision has translated into real-world success. Many AVID alumni have gone on to earn advanced degrees, including Michelle Camacho, a first-generation student from Encinitas who was recently sworn in as a lawyer.

“She’s a powerful example of how exposure and encouragement can change a student’s path,” said Magnuson in the news release.

Current student Camila Aragon echoed that sentiment in the news release: “The college tour means an opportunity that I am really grateful for. As a first-generation student, I found it challenging to envision myself as successful in college. This trip has given me the hope and motivation to see what that would be like.”

Coastal Encinitas Rotary’s Youth Chair Marti Rosenberg helps coordinate the club’s involvement in the program and is adding a thoughtful new feature this year. Each student will receive a goodie bag on departure day, filled with a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and other small items to make the trip more comfortable and memorable.

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.

The Coastal Encinitas Rotary Club welcomes readers to learn more about the organization by visiting www.coastalencinitasrotary.org. The club invites community advocates who enjoy local service, international travel, and having fun while making a difference to join a lunch meeting at Cicciotti’s Trattoria in Cardiff any Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. It starts with a visit.