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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

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 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.

Participants and staff of the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science programs gather for the 50th Celebration

UPWARD BOUND www.tri-c.edu/upwardbound

MotownMemphis

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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 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.

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 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 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.

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

“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

Fifteen Upward Bound students gathered in the warm setting of Church of the Good Shepard in Lyndhurst

Left to right: Chauntelle Van Leer, Lynesha Ervin, and Isaac Lacy participating in a team-building activity

This year’s college-level reading book

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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.

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.

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 trav-eled 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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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?

• 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?

Terry Sanders, academic coordinator, Upward Bound Math and Science moderating the Alumni Panel

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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.

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Professional Communication Workshop Carolyn Young, student advisor, Upward Bound, presented a profes-sional 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

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.

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.

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!

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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Seniors Below are the names of our graduating seniors

Thaabit At-ThahabiDerick BarnesSherman CooperDiamond DavisDeyamonti DooleyLynesha Ervin

Serita HamptonMaria HudsonGiamoni James-RiceAnthony JonesTiffany KincaidVeronica Lacy

Angel McCoyTiesha MeansTyrek MillsAndre ReavesTorray Reeves, Jr.Janelle Roberson

Tre’Quann SimpsonKatlin TennantChauntelle Van LeerTashara WatkinsMikel WillisTionna Wynn

Continued success! We are very proud of you! – Your Upward Bound Family

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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

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.

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.

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Upward Bound Staff Elizabeth Sam Mathew DirectorCarolyn Young Student AdvisorTammy Tucker Academic CoordinatorCheryl Siegel Instructional AssistantChris Litvak Office AssistantKenneth Daniels InstructorSylvia Hairston InstructorYucel Hir InstructorNallini Swamidason InstructorLavera Thornton Instructor

Upward Bound ProgramCuyahoga Community College 2900 Community College Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115Phone: 216-987-4958

Upward Bound is supported by a $391,500 grant

from the United States Department of Education.

Upward Bound Pledge

I am an Upward Bound student.

I have a brain. I put it to work.

I have ears. I listen to people.

I have a voice. I can communicate.

I have imagination. I can create.

I have feelings. I respect other people.

I have a plan. I am going to college.

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 Priyanka RizalOnyango Pearl Danasia SmithMy’Chaelah Pond Susmita Subba

Rising juniors at John Marshall High School

Helena Adkins Jasmine ThorntonCianna Alexander Gonzalo VillafanCierra Caradine Tianna Franklin-VanrossumYaritza Felix

Rising sophomores at East Technical High School

Paul Bradley Chardeja RelafordKatrice Byrd-Sims Ja’Tayia WarnerDestiny Foster Kalil Wells