AVID at Muriel W. Battle High School

Congratulations to our seniors, who are now graduates of Battle High School!

Together, they earned over $4 million dollars in scholarship offers, compiled 101 college & university acceptance letters, and have helped shape the AVID elective class and its teachers for years to come. Every single one of them will move on to pursue post-secondary education- fulfilling the AVID mission and setting themselves up for a bright future ahead. We are so proud of you and so excited for what you do next! You’re always welcome to come back & visit 💛💙🥹

(3 of them didn’t make it in the picture 😭 I swear I asked twice!!! We love them just the same)

Senior Spotlight: Maombi Bigira! 🎓

Maombi began her AVID journey in 10th grade. Maombi has been involved several clubs and sports in her time at Battle - girls' soccer, Culture Club, and dance! Maombi is also a gifted singer, spending years as part of her church choir and eventually joining Battle's Battalion and Siren Sound choirs. Maombi will attend Missouri Valley College to study elementary education and earned a scholarship to continue her dance career as part of Missouri Valley's dance team. We are so proud of you, Maombi!!!

Senior Spotlight: Jaliyah Harrell! 🎓

Jaliyah began her AVID journey in 7th grade at Oakland Middle School. Jaliyah’s involvement at Battle has included serving as a Battle Buddy Big Sister to two Battle Elementary Littles, working with our district special education classes as a Cuisine Mentor, and attending the MAC Scholars Academy before her junior year. Her classmates describe her as outgoing, authentic, and absolutely hilarious. Jaliyah will attend MACC in the fall with plans to transfer to Mizzou and earn her Bachelor’s in Sociology. We are so proud of you, Jaliyah!!!

Senior Spotlight: Jarvis Lewis! 🎓

Jarvis began his AVID journey in 7th grade at Oakland Middle School. Jarvis has been a proud member of the football team and National Honor Society in his time at Battle. Jarvis attended a summer program that sparked his interest in locomotive engineering and distribution, which is the field he plans to pursue after high school. He known by his classmates as a hilarious story-teller and a very caring person. Jarvis will attend Moberly Area Community College in the fall. We are so proud of you, Jarvis!!!

Senior Spotlight: Mikel Hall! 🎓

Mikel, or Mikey as we know him, started his AVID journey in 8th grade at Oakland Middle School. Mikey has been involved in multiple extracurricular activities in his time at Battle, notably as secretary and later the social media officer for MAC Scholars and a PR officer for the senior class. He also took up boys tennis this spring! Mikey has also been part of the CoMoEd program, working in classrooms around CPS over the last 2 summers. Mikey was CoMoEd’s 2026 scholarship recipient, earning a full ride to Missouri Valley to pursue his aspiration of becoming an elementary school teacher. Mikey’s classmates describe him as outgoing, talkative, and determined. We are so proud of you, Mikey!!!

Senior Spotlight: Tena Green! 🎓

Tena began her AVID journey in 7th grade at Lange Middle School. Tena has been very involved at Battle since the very beginning of her high school career, cheering on the sidelines with both the fall and winter cheer squads, running and jumping on Battle’s track team, and competing in Lincoln Douglas debate and Informative Speaking as part of Battle’s speech and debate team. Tena has been interested in becoming a lawyer since her freshman year. In pursuit of that goal, Tena secured an internship with local attorney Bill Ellis, which has been one of the highlights of her senior year. Tena’s classmates describe her as incredibly smart, passionate, and a leader. Tena will attend Xavier University of Louisiana (an HBCU!) to major in political science and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. We are so proud of you, Tena!!!

Senior Spotlight: James Barber! 🎓

James began his AVID journey in 7th grade at Oakland Middle School. In his high school career, James has tackled several Career Center, AP and Dual Credit classes while maintaining an impressive GPA. He has also spent time volunteering for the Disabled Athletes Sports Association (DASA) and was involved in FBLA. James’ classmates describe him as driven, smart, and down to earth. James will attended Truman State University in the fall to study exercise science. We are so proud of you, James!!!

Senior Spotlight: Ray Tatum! 🎓

Ray joined our AVID family in 9th grade. Ray has been a proud member of the Battle boys’ basketball team. He enjoyed his time in the CASA Lab at Hickman during his sophomore year, and has been part of the Early College program since his junior year. Ray’s classmates describe him as funny, loyal, and an “academic weapon”. Ray will attend Central Methodist University in the fall to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with the eventual goal of earning his MBA. We are so proud of you, Ray!!!

Senior Spotlight: Dominika Ingram! 🎓

Dominika joined our AVID family in 10th grade. She is the concertmaster of Battle’s orchestra and a proud member of the Missouri Academy of Music. She has also been part of choir, Battalion (Battle’s show choir), and National Honor Society in her time at Battle. Her classmates describe her as the “sweetheart” of our senior class, someone who brightens the room & brightens our days. Dominika will attend MACC after graduation and intends to transfer to Mizzou to earn her Bachelor’s degree in dietetics.

AVID 11 had a great time touring Columbia College this week! We even saw our very own AVID All Star featured on the board in the nursing hallway 🤩 and some former Oakland Eagles got to reconnect with their for AVID teacher Ms. Valera, who’s now a program coordinator at CC! We loved getting to peek around her office 😝 Thank you for having us, Columbia College!