2008 Woodie Awards
Upward Bound aims to recruit
High school students get a peek at college life
Nicolette Daniel
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
Florida A&M University offers low-income high school students an opportunity to be exposed to college life through the recruitment summer program Upward Bound.
The Upward Bound Program provides academic tutoring for standardized test preparation, mentoring, professional and leadership development and other skills needed to enter into and succeed in college.
Geraldine Seay, director of Upward Bound, said students get the opportunity to live on campus and take classes during the six-week summer program. Applicants must be a student at East Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Godby or Rickards high schools. The students must be a ninth or 10th grader, a first-generation college student and a part of a low-income family.
"The restrictions of the four schools were chosen because a grant requires that we identify targeted schools," Seay said.
Upward Bound services are available throughout the academic year as well. The summer program is a kick-off to recruit students for college.
"Seventy-five percent of the seniors at FAMU this year are a result of Upward Bound," Seay said.
Seay said in the summer, students in Upward Bound have a busy schedule. They wake up early to exercise, eat breakfast, engage in academic classes and pick an activity of their choice from 6-10 p.m.
"This year's academics will focus on voting rights and National Aeronautics and Space Administration," she said. "Fridays they have professional development and Saturday they travel. And they attend a local church on Sunday."
Classes consist of reading, writing and a variety of math, biology and physics from Monday through Thursday.
Leeanne Peoples, 20, a junior health care management student, said Upward Bound helped her academically.
"They offered tutors to help us with our homework and standardized testing," Peoples said.
This summer participants will have a new music activity to choose from that will benefit Upward Bound and the students in the future.
The Upward Bound Program provides academic tutoring for standardized test preparation, mentoring, professional and leadership development and other skills needed to enter into and succeed in college.
Geraldine Seay, director of Upward Bound, said students get the opportunity to live on campus and take classes during the six-week summer program. Applicants must be a student at East Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Godby or Rickards high schools. The students must be a ninth or 10th grader, a first-generation college student and a part of a low-income family.
"The restrictions of the four schools were chosen because a grant requires that we identify targeted schools," Seay said.
Upward Bound services are available throughout the academic year as well. The summer program is a kick-off to recruit students for college.
"Seventy-five percent of the seniors at FAMU this year are a result of Upward Bound," Seay said.
Seay said in the summer, students in Upward Bound have a busy schedule. They wake up early to exercise, eat breakfast, engage in academic classes and pick an activity of their choice from 6-10 p.m.
"This year's academics will focus on voting rights and National Aeronautics and Space Administration," she said. "Fridays they have professional development and Saturday they travel. And they attend a local church on Sunday."
Classes consist of reading, writing and a variety of math, biology and physics from Monday through Thursday.
Leeanne Peoples, 20, a junior health care management student, said Upward Bound helped her academically.
"They offered tutors to help us with our homework and standardized testing," Peoples said.
This summer participants will have a new music activity to choose from that will benefit Upward Bound and the students in the future.
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