Farmington Schools Students, Parents Take 'Pledge for Success'

A panel of students who've been there shared with  8th graders Thursday their best advice for doing well in high school. 

The three teens helped kick off 'Your Success Starts Today', an event hosted by Farmington/Farmington Hills Pledge for Success at campus in Farmington Hills. The coalition aims to make Farmington/Farmington Hills a "community committed to providing a strong academic foundation so students of all ages can achieve their lifelong educational goals."

graduate Avni Desai, now a freshman at Wayne State University, senior Kayla Winbush and senior Samantha Newton know a little something about achieving goals. Desai was president of Farmington's student council, Winbush is the current chair of the FPS student roundtable and Newton is getting on-the-job training and is well on her way to a career. 

They answered questions posed by FPS Supt. Susan Zurvalec, ranging from what contributed to their success to what students should not do when they get to high school. 

"A lot of what has contributed to my success ... is being proactive, being organized and knowing when I need help," Desai said. She stressed getting involved in school activities, particularly with groups outside of one's close circle of friends, in order to meet new people. 

Winbush said organization, setting goals and having a mother who is "very involved" in her education have helped keep her on a good track. 

Though she's a Harrison student, Newton attends Oakland Technical Campus in Wixom, where she is learning about animals and getting hands-on training with an externship at a veterinarian's office. She described herself as self-motivated and urged students to decide what they want to get out of school.

"I think it's up to the student to really decide how well they're going to do," she said. "I had my plan set from middle school."

Following the opening panel, students and parents attended workshops on high school learning opportunities, exploring tools that can help students decide on a career and financial aid for college or technical training.