The SOAR Connection
Weekly Newsletter
Hello SOAR,
During morning drop off in Lancaster, I was able to spend some time chatting with one of our parents. We discussed the special experience SOAR provides to our students to be college students, but with support. They get four years to develop the skills, dispositions, ways of being to become successful university students.
Later in the week, I overheard Mr. Sedlacek in the office and he said something that I absolutely loved. I told him I would be quoting him in the newsletter and he gave me the okay. I may get this wrong but he said something like, "If you want respect, go get it!" Let's let this sit for a moment --
The quote got me thinking about our STARS and the unique journey they are navigating as both high school and college students.
Respect. We all want our voices heard, our ideas considered, our efforts recognized, and our contributions valued. While everyone inherently deserves dignity and respect, the reputation we build is shaped by the choices we make every day.
At SOAR, our students are often among the youngest learners in the room. They engage with college professors, navigate rigorous academic expectations, collaborate with peers, and learn to advocate for themselves. They may not always be the most experienced people in the room, but they have every right to be there.
And they have an opportunity to demonstrate who they are through their actions:
Show up prepared, even when no one is checking.
Speak up when they have something to contribute, even when their voices shake.
Ask questions when they do not understand.
Follow through on commitments.
Take ownership when they make a mistake.
Extend the same respect to others that they hope to receive.
These are not simply habits of successful students. They are habits of people who understand the importance of character. As the adults in their lives, we can reinforce these habits by encouraging self-advocacy rather than immediately stepping in, celebrating help-seeking, and holding students accountable while extending grace and support for growth.
Let's remind our STARS that respect is not about being the loudest person in the room, having the highest GPA, or always having the right answer. Sometimes it is demonstrated through the quiet courage of saying, "I don't know," the integrity of admitting when you've fallen short, or the confidence to advocate for yourself.
Our students do not have to wait until they graduate, earn their degrees, or receive someone else's approval to begin showing the world who they are. They are already building their reputations. Every day. In every space they enter. Their accomplishments may open doors, but their character helps define what they do once they enter the room.
P.S. A Gentle Reminder: I ask that our SOAR parents and caregivers extend respect and grace to our faculty and staff, even when frustrations arise, whether it be over instructional methodologies that your student may not have experienced, a grade your student has earned or an important concern on your heart and mind. We welcome questions, dialogue, and opportunities to better understand one another, but how we engage matters. Our students are watching, and we have the privilege and responsibility of modeling the very respect, character, and integrity we hope to instill in them.
**I realized there is a translate button to translate the newsletter. If you would like me to go back to translating into Spanish, please let me know. | Me di cuenta de que el boletín cuenta con un botón para traducirlo. Si prefieren que vuelva a proporcionar la traducción al español, por favor, háganmelo saber.
Dream High. SOAR Higher. #WatchOurStarsSOAR
With care,
Dr. Krishna D. Spates
Proud Principal
CSU College Nights
Students from both campuses visited CSU College Nights to learn about their university options. Thank you Mrs. Jefferson and Ms. Dawes for chaperoning this important field trip. Thank you Mrs, Klassen, Mrs. Fields, Ms. Mendoza and Mrs. Forbes for making the magic happen behind the scenes to ensure our students were able to participate in this experience.
Biology with Ms. Campos
You haven't experienced Science, until you've experienced Science at SOAR! Students are Scientists. Students were decoding life. Each group had a unique lab focus and had to defend their thinking on a white board and in an oral presentation. They represented their thinking with a drawing, math computation, comparison to a previous lab and a clear conclusion.
English 10 with Mrs. Bilderback
Students explored how heroes influence their identity. Students designed a visual representation that uplifts an unknown Artist they recognize as a role model/hero. Students researched an Artist (either a woman or from a marginalized community). Students provided incredibly thoughtful and insightful feedback to their peers after each presentation.
SOAR High School Updates
Help Us Find SOAR Alumni
As the Principal, community and connection is something I know to be valuable. We are preparing to launch a campaign to find our SOAR Alumni! We need your help. We are going to post a graphic and link on social media for our alumni to complete. Please consider sharing the link in the ways you think best. Our Alumni can help our STARS thrive through their wisdom, encouragement and experiences. Let's work together to connect our community.
Thank you to Mr. Steven Fragoso for his hard work on this project.
Alumni Survey Link here | Shareable Social Media Post here
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All School PSAT/SAT Testing - October 9th
All of our students get to take the PSAT and SAT for FREE on October 9th while they are at school! The PSAT and SAT help students:
- Discover Academic Strengths: Identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Unlock Scholarship Opportunities: The PSAT/NMSQT can qualify eligible students for National Merit recognition and scholarship opportunities.
- Explore College Options: SAT scores may be considered by colleges and universities outside the UC and CSU systems.
- Prepare with Purpose: Gain experience with the digital testing format and use results to develop an individualized preparation plan.
- Keep Doors Open: As students explore colleges and universities, having an SAT score available provides flexibility when applying to institutions that accept or require scores.
For our STARS, these assessments are another opportunity to practice the skills we emphasize through AVID: goal-setting, reflection, preparation, and ownership of learning.
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FREE Tutoring Resources
- FREE Tutoring with a LIVE Tutor - Tutor.com
- Tutoring Schedule - Lancaster Campus
- Tutoring Schedule - Palmdale Campus
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Apply for a No-Cost Trip to the HACU Conference
Antelope Valley College students are invited to apply for an opportunity to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 40th Annual Conference in Chula Vista, California.
Hosted by the AVC Equity Department, the no-cost trip will take place Friday, October 30, through Tuesday, November 3. A select group of AVC students will attend workshops, luncheons and town halls focused on career, internship, research and educational opportunities. Students will also have opportunities to network with career professionals and graduate school representatives.
Attend an Information Session
Students interested in the trip can learn more at one of three information sessions:
- Wednesday, September 23, 3-4 p.m., CH 130
- Monday, September 28, 9-10 a.m., CH 130
- Tuesday, September 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m., CH 130
Students selected for the trip must also attend a pre-trip orientation from
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, October 23.
Applications are due Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Link here
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Cultura y Color Art Contest:
Compete for $500
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through art in AVC’s Cultura y Color Art Contest: Amor Sin Fronteras (Love Without Borders).
The contest invites currently enrolled Antelope Valley College students to bring people together across cultures, languages, generations, and communities. Artwork may express what Amor Sin Fronteras means through family, friendship, community, cultural traditions, unity, or connection.
The contest is open to students of all cultures. Participants are encouraged to share a unique perspective and celebrate the experiences that remind people that love knows no boundaries.
Prizes
1st place: $500
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $100
4th place: $50
5th place: $25
Submission deadline
Friday, October 16 | 11 a.m.
No late submissions will be accepted.
Winners will be announced at Sabor Latine: A Taste of Heritage on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 1–4 p.m. on the Library Lawn.
For questions, contact equity@avc.edu. Review submission and contest rule here
Sponsored by the Associated Students of Antelope Valley College (ASO).
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Constitution Day Essay Contest:
Compete for $500
The Constitution Day Essay Contest is open to all AVC students enrolled in the Fall 2026 semester. This year’s essay topic is Voting.
In current politics, some argue that voting is so important that formidable barriers should be put in place to prevent fraud and cheating so the value of true votes is not diminished. Others claim that the right to vote is so important that there is a duty to make voting easy and open, allowing all who are eligible to cast their ballots if they choose.
Prompt: Which approach, whether in isolation or in combination, is best for our constitutional democracy?
Essays should include relevant references to specific and recent voting studies, court cases, primary documents, and other applicable research materials.
Essay Requirements
- No more than 1,800 words
- Times New Roman, 12-point font
- Double-spaced
- Minimum of three citations from recent sources (five years old or less)
- MLA format for all citations, including any use of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Works Cited page, including entries for any use of AI
- Essay title that reflects the response to the topic question
Prizes
1st place: $500
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $100
4th place: $50
5th place: $25
Submission deadline
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 10 a.m. Student winners will be recognized at the AVC Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, Dec. 11, 2026. Submit your essay here
Sponsored by the Associated Students of Antelope Valley College (ASO).
