Upward Bound 2015 Newsletter

Upward
bound
2015 program highlights
Upward Bound Celebrates Its 50th!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Upward Bound, the
first in a series of educational outreach programs founded in
the mid-’60s, collectively known as TRiO.
There are several Upward Bound programs across the nation
and all are affiliated with colleges. Upward Bound’s affiliation
with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C ®) began in 1989.
Since its inception, Upward Bound has helped hundreds of
high school students realize their dream of obtaining a
college degree.
Students enter the program as ninth or 10th graders and must
be enrolled at either East Technical, John Marshall or Glenville
high school. The program works closely with counselors,
teachers and principals to identify eligible students.
The 50th-year celebration was held in December on the
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus and was well attended. JaNice
Marshall, Ed.D., Associate Vice President of Access and
Community Engagement, welcomed guests and introduced
Participants and staff of the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science
programs gather for the 50th Celebration
the keynote speaker, John Hairston, District Director for
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. Hairston is a TRiO alumnus
who spoke passionately about the support he received from
TRiO. The program also included speeches by Katlin Tennant,
a senior at John Marshall High School, and her principal,
Tiffiany James. Tennant described how she has benefited
from Upward Bound, and James discussed her own
long-standing involvement with the program. Helena Adkins,
an Upward Bound student at
John Marshall, introduced James.
Cultural Visits
Motown
Memphis
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Upward Bound students attended two theater performances
this year. In October, at Playhouse Square, they saw the
musical Motown, which is based on the life of Berry Gordy,
founder of the Motown record label. In May, they saw a
performance of the musical Memphis, which is based on the
life of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, who in the ’50s
was one of the first white DJs to broadcast black music. All
parts in the play were performed by Cleveland Metropolitan
School District students, including Upward Bound’s own
Yaritza Felix, a sophomore at John Marshall High School.
The Ohio TRiO Student Leadership Conference
This year’s Ohio TRiO Student Leadership Conference was
held at the end of March at Kent State University. The theme
was “Building a Better Future.” Activities began with an
ice-breaker that involved taking off a shoe and placing it on
stage. Each participant picked up a different shoe from the
stage and ventured out to find the owner. It was boisterous
and contagious fun!
The keynote speaker was Derek Felton. Felton is a youth
mentoring expert, author, and entrepreneur. His mission is
to educate, empower, and encourage one million people to
make healthy choices. He shared personal stories about
how the decisions he has made have had an everlasting
effect on his life.
Students Cianna Alexander, Joseph DeMoss, Marcia
Hudson, Katlin Tennant, Jasmine Thornton, were actively
participating and asking questions.
The breakout sessions proved motivating with titles like
“Do You Have Swag?,” “Passion Will Build the Future,”
“Shadow Leadership vs. Spotlight Leadership,” “Passion as a
Compass” and “Superhero 101: Finding Your Inner Leader.”
It was exciting to see education in action.
“It was an inspiring and worthwhile event. I look
forward to next year’s Leadership Conference.”
— Tammy Tucker,
Academic Coordinator, Upward Bound
Winter Retreat Theme: Caution! Intelligence Brewing
The tradition of the winter retreat (held Feb. 13) is to introduce
our students to college-level reading each fall semester. This
year’s book was Twelve Steps Toward Political Revelation by
Walter Mosley. Students balked at the title, but were
pleasantly surprised by the content.
The retreat was held at Church of the Good Shepherd in
Lyndhurst to get away from the familiar and enjoy the church’s
secluded, park-like setting. The day started with team-building
activities and covered rules for respect and communication.
The 12 steps are:
• Admitting there is a problem and defining that problem
• The importance of language, or learning how to speak
• Telling the truth
• Defining the classes
• Legitimizing psychotherapy in political development
• Every day
• Making democracy
• Attempting to understand the mind in relation to the
economic infrastructure
• Ceasing to live in the past
• Understanding cost
• Understanding your worth
• Defining and then claiming genius
This year’s
college-level
reading book
Fifteen Upward Bound students gathered in the warm setting of
Church of the Good Shepard in Lyndhurst
The book describes 12 steps to gain insights into personal
growth, finances, and ultimately, politics. It challenges status
quo excuses and offers tips on building “inner infrastructures”
to grow personal freedom.
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Left to right: Chauntelle Van Leer,
Lynesha Ervin, and Isaac Lacy participating
in a team-building activity
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Spring Break College Tour of Miami & Cincinnati
On March 31, students and staff from Upward Bound,
Upward Bound Math and Science and Educational Talent
Search ventured south for two days to the Miami Valley
visiting Miami University and the University of Cincinnati.
Forty eight students participated along with five staff
members. Along the way, students learned facts about Ohio.
The first stop was Miami University where highlights included
a “Freedom Summer” lecture and a panel of students from
Cleveland. The program emphasized the importance of being
focused and getting connected. The next day, the group traveled to the University of Cincinnati where highlights included
a visit to the university’s hall of fame museum.
At both schools, students went on a campus tour and
participated in a session that outlined admission requirements
and special opportunities like studying abroad. The trip
culminated with a visit to the National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.
The University of Akron’s Black Male Summit
This year’s Black Male Summit was held April 11 – 12 at the
University of Akron. Participating from Upward Bound were
Sampson Deal, Mykal Ferguson, Keysean Green, Onyango
Pearl, Torray Reeves Jr. and Tre’Quann Simpson. They were
among more than 2,000 attendees from across the nation.
The summit is in its eighth year. Its mission is to increase
retention and graduation rates of African-American males in
higher education.
Conference highlights included breakout sessions, a screening
of the film Finding the Gold Within and speakers of national
prominence such as Michael Eric Dyson, professor of sociology
at Georgetown University; ESPN/ABC analyst Jalen Rose;
Haki Mahbuti, Ph.D., founder of Third World Press; and
Marc Lamont Hill, Ph.D., professor of African-American
studies at Morehouse College.
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Featured in the promotional photograph for this year’s Black Male Summit were
students from the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science programs
who attended last year’s program.
Finding the Gold Within had an important message and was
especially well received by our students. The film followed six
determined young men from Akron through their first years of
college. They were tested in many ways, but never lost their
focus. Following the screening, individuals from the film met
with the audience for a Q-and-A session.
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Alumni Spotlight
Ruala Abdel-Nabi, Jacque Elama, Devonna Hicks, Terrance Tufts
and Ivan Velez are in this year’s alumni spotlight. Hicks is finishing
her first year at Cuyahoga Community College, where she is majoring
in psychology. Elama is finishing his first year at Bowling Green
State University, where he is studying international business.
Abdel-Nabi completed her first year at John Carroll University and
is planning to transfer in the fall to Tri-C, where she will pursue an
Associate of Science degree. Afterward, she plans to transfer to
Baldwin Wallace University to major in pre-dentistry.
Pictured in top row from
left to right: Devonna Hicks,
Jacque Elama. Middle row
from left to right: Ruala
Abdel-Nabi, Terrance Tufts.
Bottom row: Ivan Velez
Velez graduated from Ohio University in 2014 with a bachelor’s
degree in communication. He is now working toward his MBA at
the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University.
Tufts graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s in psychology from
Kent State University.
The Upward Bound program is proud of them and their
accomplishments!
Alumni Respond to Questions about College Life
An alumni panel that included students from Upward Bound
and Upward Bound Math and Science programs was part of
Upward Bound’s 50th anniversary celebration. Terry Sanders,
academic coordinator for Upward Bound Math and Science,
served as moderator.
Representing Upward Bound were Ruala Abdel-Nabi, Tiara
Anderson, Jacque Elama, Devonna Hicks and Terrance Tufts.
Representing the Upward Bound Math and Science program
were Saeed Tawill and Natasha Torres.
The moderator and members of the audience asked
questions, and the panelists did a fine job responding.
Questions asked of the panelists included:
• What criteria did you use in selecting your college?
• How did Upward Bound or Upward Bound Math and
Science help you prepare for college and/or help you
with your motivation to attend college?
• Did you select a major before going to college?
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Terry Sanders, academic coordinator, Upward Bound Math and Science
moderating the Alumni Panel
• Was paying for college an issue for you?
• How well did your high school prepare you for college?
• What advice would you give current participants about
academic preparation?
• Was the transition from high school to college difficult, easy or somewhere in between?
• What are some challenges you faced in college?
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Upward Bound’s “Senior of the Year”
This year’s Senior of the Year is
Katlin Tennant. Tennant is a graduate
of John Marshall High School and this
fall will be attending Bowling Green
State University, where she intends
to major in pre-physical therapy. A
job-shadowing opportunity through
Upward Bound piqued her interest in
physical therapy; two summers ago
she was able to shadow a physical therapist at St. Vincent
Charity Medical Center.
Tennant is the true embodiment of hard work, determination,
and perseverance, and her efforts have paid off. For example,
she earned scholarships to help defray college expenses,
and because of her excellent grades, she is eligible to
participate in Upward Bound’s Summer Bridge program
through Tri-C. As part of the program, she will be eligible to
receive up to six college credits. Tennant has already earned
three college credits through the Cleveland Institute of Arts’
pre-college program.
Tennant is passionate about Upward Bound, and it shows.
At Upward Bound’s 50th anniversary celebration, she spoke
movingly about all the program has to offer.
In the time Tennant has worked with Upward Bound, she has
blossomed into a confident and determined young lady and
scholar, and all who know her can see that she will make
her mark on the world. Tennant is a great role model who is
committed to making a difference.
Fifth Annual Book Award Winners
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District
has partnered with Ivy League alumni to
mentor high school juniors through their
graduation and college admission. The
universities include Harvard University,
Dartmouth College, Princeton University
and Yale University.
May 7 at John Hay High School, the fifth annual Book Prize
athonored several juniors with a book and seniors with
scholarship awards.
Professional
Communication Workshop
Carolyn Young, student advisor,
Upward Bound, presented a professional communication workshop on
April 18 that emphasized telephone
etiquette and the importance of
writing heartfelt thank-you notes.
Young was ably assisted by two seniors
from John Marshall High School:
Katlin Tennant and Mikel Willis.
Topics included the importance of
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Among
those honored were three Upward Bound participants:
• Kija Beard, 11th-grader at East Technical
High School, mentored by a Harvard graduate
• Matondo Ngemba, 11th-grader at John Marshall
High School, mentored by a Dartmouth graduate
• Shay Jones, 11th-grader at East Technical
High School, mentored by a Yale graduate
We are exceptionally proud of their accomplishments!
answering the phone with a “smile”
in your voice, “being present” while
on the phone (e.g., not engaging in
distracting behavior), how to take
effective phone messages and
voicemail do’s and don’ts.
Time was allotted for students to
practice writing a heartfelt thank-you
note and personal voicemail greeting.
The program was well attended
and engaging.
Pictured above is Kaitlin Tennant reading a warm
thank-you note adressed to her grandmother.
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Seniors
Below are the names of
our graduating seniors
Thaabit At-Thahabi
Derick Barnes
Sherman Cooper
Diamond Davis
Deyamonti Dooley
Lynesha Ervin
Serita Hampton
Maria Hudson
Giamoni James-Rice
Anthony Jones
Tiffany Kincaid
Veronica Lacy
Angel McCoy
Tiesha Means
Tyrek Mills
Andre Reaves
Torray Reeves, Jr.
Janelle Roberson
Continued success! We are very proud of you!
Tre’Quann Simpson
Katlin Tennant
Chauntelle Van Leer
Tashara Watkins
Mikel Willis
Tionna Wynn
– Your Upward Bound Family
Upward Bound Summer Enrichment Institute
The Upward Bound Summer Enrichment Institute takes place
June through July on the Metropolitan Campus of Cuyahoga
Community College.
The goal of the Summer Enrichment Institute is to prepare
participants for their fall high school classes.
Selected rising juniors and seniors participate in work-study,
a job-shadowing program that includes a career-experience
class. Shadowing experiences are arranged in a variety of
fields including dentistry, physical therapy, and psychology.
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UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
Service Learning Day at Cuyahoga Valley
National Park
Upward Bound students travelled to Cuyahoga Valley National
Park on June 3rd to hike, learn about the geology of our area,
and complete a service project that involved removing invasive
species from one area of the park. It was a beautiful day and
the students had a great time. As they hiked, the park rangers
pointed out characteristics of the surroundings, and shared
information about their education and personal career paths.
The students ate lunch at the edge of an overlook viewing the
valley. After lunch some students entertained each other with
chanted handclap games or relaxing by lying in the grass.
It was a refreshing and enlightening day
Kareen Kern and Tammy Tucker work as a team to identify
and destroy invasive vegetation.
Cianna Alexander and Helena Adkins find lichen, mineral
deposits and irregular erosion in the rock wall.
Lolly the Trolley Tour of
Cleveland Ethnic Food Markets
Upward Bound students toured Cleveland on Lolly the Trolley
on June 10. Students learned about the history of Cleveland
and visited a Hungarian bakery, an Italian market, and an
Asian market. They toured the Westside Market, had lunch
at Sokolowski’s Restaurant in Tremont, and tried foods
from different countries.
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound
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welcome!
Upward Bound extends a warm welcome to
the following students who enrolled in our
program during the 2014-2015 school year:
Rising sophomores at John Marshall High School
Kiara Caraballo Onyango Pearl
My’Chaelah Pond
Priyanka Rizal
Danasia Smith
Susmita Subba
Upward Bound Pledge
I am an Upward Bound student.
Rising juniors at John Marshall High School
I have a brain. I put it to work.
Helena Adkins
Cianna Alexander
Cierra Caradine
Yaritza Felix
I have ears. I listen to people.
Jasmine Thornton
Gonzalo Villafan
Tianna Franklin-Vanrossum
I have a voice. I can communicate.
I have imagination. I can create.
I have feelings. I respect other people.
Rising sophomores at East Technical High School
Paul Bradley
Katrice Byrd-Sims
Destiny Foster
I have a plan. I am going to college.
Chardeja Relaford
Ja’Tayia Warner
Kalil Wells
Upward Bound Staff
Elizabeth Sam Mathew
Carolyn Young
Tammy Tucker
Cheryl Siegel
Chris Litvak
Kenneth Daniels
Sylvia Hairston
Yucel Hir
Nallini Swamidason
Lavera Thornton
Director
Student Advisor
Academic Coordinator
Instructional Assistant
Office Assistant
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Upward Bound is supported by a $391,500 grant
from the United States Department of Education.
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Upward Bound Program
Cuyahoga Community College
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Phone: 216-987-4958
UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound