Moving others upward

Former Clarke Central High School College Adviser Tavaria Smith stands in front of a wall of college banners in the Counseling Office on Aug. 23. Smith participated in the Upward Bound program while she was in high school at CCHS, which allowed her to experience a taste of her future college, the University of Georgia. “Upward Bound was very helpful in preparing me for college. I remember, the summer before 11th grade, being able to stay at UGA for summer, living in the dorm rooms (and) experiencing dining hall food,” Smith said. “The staff was great with helping college applications, we had SAT boot camps and we went on college tours. A lot of the schools that I went to, I had no idea that they existed. Being able to go to see the campus really opened my eyes and a lot of (those) schools I did actually apply to.” Photo by Natalie Schliekelman

The ODYSSEY Media Group will provide viewers with stylized profiles that center on people in the Athens community telling their own stories.

Former College Adviser Tavaria Smith spent six months to help students at her alma mater, and a lifetime to help people in need.

Surrounded by college banners, in a room hidden behind the Counseling Office, Tavaria Smith warmly greets a concerned student. Whether the student wants to know about the SAT or which college would be a good fit, Smith is more than willing to help.

Any Clarke Central High School student thinking about college likely knows Smith’s face. Perhaps they can tell that she isn’t much older than the students themselves. What they don’t know is that Smith, who graduated from CCHS in 2019 and the University of Georgia in 2021, was in their shoes n​​​ot too long ago.

Higher education once seemed daunting for Smith, a first-generation college student. However, she was able to gain confidence through assistance programs like Upward Bound and the CCHS Gifted Minorities Achieving program. Leadership skills, hard work and academic excellence got Smith accepted to UGA.

Smith adored her college experience, and her next course of action was to help others who were once in her place. For students who are struggling with their future, Smith is there.

“The students connect with me in a way that they aren’t able to connect with their teachers because of the age gap,” Smith said. “They trust what I say.”

“The students connect with me in a way that they aren’t able to connect with their teachers because of the age gap. They trust what I say.”

— Tavaria Smith,
former CCHS College Advisor

While she enjoyed her second go-round at CCHS, Smith moved on to a new position at Goodwill of North Georgia as a C3 Navigator on Feb. 11, with even bigger ambitions for the future. As a Black person who has witnessed people of color being disproportionately affected by the American justice system, Smith feels a drive to help members of her community.

“I want to have a nonprofit that focuses on giving (previously incarcerated Black individuals) the job skills they need,” Smith said. “(I would help) them access and employ mental health services to lower the rate of people being released and returning to prison.”

Many students will miss Smith’s enthusiasm and comforting presence at CCHS. But wherever she may go, Smith is always ready to help others in need.

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