Former Rose Bowl quarterback to meet with Garrison students

Former Washington State University Rose Bowl quarterback and current WSU radio broadcaster Jason Gesser is planning to speak with Garrison Middle School students Thursday, November 13 at 11 a.m. Students in Conor Fish’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) classes will hear from the former Heisman Trophy candidate.

Gesser played quarterback for Washington State Cougars under head coach Mike Price, and played in the 2003 Rose Bowl. As a professional, Gesser played for the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League, the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, and the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He has also coached at Eastside Catholic High School, the University of Idaho and the University of Wyoming. Gesser is the grandson of Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame member Joseph “Red” Dunn.

AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, accelerates student learning, uses research-based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional development, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.

What differentiates AVID from other educational reform programs is its astounding success rate. Since 1990, more than 85,500 AVID students have graduated from high school and planned to attend college.

Of the 22,210 AVID seniors from 2010 who reported their plans: 91.3% intended to attend a postsecondary institution, 58.3% a four-year university and 33% a two-year college.