Upward Bound offers support for students

Are you a first generation college student? Are you wanting to get a better look into colleges and express your interest in your field of study? If so, Upward Bound is the place for you.

Upward Bound is a program to provide high school students with support, encourage motivation, and develop skills necessary for graduating high school, enrollment in some college (community or university), and overall graduation.

“It is another resource for low-income, first generation college school students to assist them in the college process,” academic skills coordinator Dannielle Lambert said.

Students who apply and are accepted into the program are eligible for many different benefits such as after school tutoring three days a week, cultural trips/college visits, and a six-week long summer program.

After school tutoring gives students the opportunity to talk with teachers and get the help they need, along with getting caught up on homework or missing work.

“Upward bound is very helpful,” sophomore Samantha Gonzalez said. “It is somewhere you can go if you need the extra assistance or just a quiet place to study. The place is always filled with fun and enjoyable people.”

During the summer program, students have the opportunity to take academic preparation classes in math, science, writing, and foreign language, along with some other extra classes like art or dance.

Following the summer program, Upward Bound students go on one big cultural trip to end the summer. Students have been to many different cities in the last decade such as Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, and Nashville. Within these trips, students get to see many major tourist attractions, along with visiting some major universities like Northwestern University (Chicago) and Harvard University (Massachusetts).

Those in the program only have good things to say about it.

“Ultimately, I feel like it is a good thing for anyone joining the program,” said senior Kristen Bolster.