This Week in Saturday Academy: 11/21/2015

"What's the world for you if you can't make it up the way you want it?" 

-Toni Morrison in Jazz

Our students do what it takes to make up their respective worlds with futures they envision. One way they do this is by showing up to Saturday academic sessions twice a month in Upward Bound. Why? Because they know that there is no way to get what they desire out of life without putting in the work. 

Frankly, we all have to put in the work. 

We often talk about how hard our students and staff work. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we figured we would show you about our classroom culture instead of talking about it. Check out our students and staff putting in the work to make up their futures. #TrioWorks  

Next Saturday Academy: Dec. 12, 2015

Student Spotlight: Shaila J.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis awarded HEC Upward Bound’s very own Shaila J. as “The Youth of the Year” at the Great Futures Gala on November 14, 2015. 

Finalists shared their stories of perseverance and dedication to their families, communities, and education. Out of seven nominees, Shaila was selected and presented her three-minute speech at the gala. Her award included a plaque and a handsome monetary gift. 

As anyone can see, Shaila not only excels outside of our program but also shows up to Upward Bound upbeat, positive, and engaged. Plus, this star on the rise has a bright future ahead of her. Shaila, a freshman from Metro High School, plans to one day study Psychology in college. With the dedication she has, her star will shine brightly there, too.

Shaila, we’re proud to have you apart of our HEC Upward Bound family. Congrats!

HEC Upward Bound's Mr. Bullard and Shaila J.

Making an Impact

In a discussion about how students know adults in their lives care about them, they were asked, "How many of you have been visited in school by Mr. Bullard this year?" The response was captured in the above photo.

Merely every student raised his/her hand confirming that Mr. Bullard, the College and Career Specialist, had visited them...multiple times. Students glanced around the room recognizing how many others he serves on a regular basis and began to share stories about how he's reached out to them. Like a light a bulb flashing on in the dead of night, they realized that their Upward Bound staff cares a lot. The evidence is in the fact that he commits time (whether school visits or course preparation), information, wisdom, and resources to position them for greatness.

Bullard, a first generation college student, himself, expressed, "As I look back over my college journey and experiences, I understand it was 'Trail by Error.' Because of my college struggles, it is my desire to help students avoid the unknown college transition process. I am driven to help others achieve their college dreams despite the personal obstacles they may have to overcome."

Mr. Bullard's commitment equally reflects the rest of the HEC Upward Bound staff and teachers, who also pour in countless, often unpaid hours to make sure our students have the very best. The saying goes, "You can give without caring, but you can't care without giving." We are grateful for staff who give of themselves and are committed to caring for students, which does nothing less than making a lasting, positive impact on their lives.

Students' response from another angle.

This Week in Saturday Academy:

The Halloween Edition

Our last Saturday Academy session happened to fall on Halloween this year. While the world was preparing for evening festivities and trick-or-treating, HEC Upward Bound students were in their books.

It is one thing for students to say they are committed, but it is overwhelming and awesome when they show it. Last weekend, our students showed us their dedication when they didn't let the holiday stop them from coming out in great number for academic enrichment sessions, tutoring, and a student workshop. This is evidence that they are serious about their futures and that #TrioWorks!

Students, we are proud of you! The time you commit now will manifest in your futures!

Here's a glimpse at last Saturday:

Next Saturday Academy: Nov. 7, 2015

This Week in Saturday Academy:

We're BA-AAACK!!!

After a great summer break and a fantastic HEC Summer Academy, we're back for Saturday Academy! Math, science, English, and college prep courses were in full swing as new and returning high schoolers showed up in great number to get their learn on.

The fun went to a whole new level when HEC Upward Bound's very own Mr. Bullard had the students compete in "Minute to Win It;" one of their favorite activities. From agility challenges to concentration tests, students flexed their skills with only a minute to win their respective competitions. If you missed this week's fun, you won't want to miss our next session! Check us out below. 

There really is a student under there.

Next Saturday Academy: 

Oct. 31, 2015

This Week in Saturday Acadmey:

Gearing Up for the New Year

Upward Bound is ready to continue molding our college bound students for another successful academic year. Last weekend, new and returning students and parents attended the back to school Saturday Academy orientation. Participants and their families were acquainted with instructional staff and HEC Upward Bound support staff, who will work with youth this year.

We did more than handle academic business. In an effort to better serve the students in the program and their families, we took a little time to have breakout sessions for parents and students. Students and parents enjoyed team building activities that allowed them to connect with other program participants and allowed us to gather data on ways to improve our service.

With the turn out and participation last, HEC Upward Bound is destined to have a fantastic 2015-2016 school year. See for yourself below with pics from our staff teambuilding activities and the program orientation.

First Official Saturday Academy: Oct. 10, 2015

 

Pics. 1-4: Staff team building; win, lose, or draw!

Student/parent orientation.

Student session led by Mr. Armstrong.

 



'15 S.A. Chronicles:

HEC Goes to Washington D.C.

"Where are we going this year?" students asked with mounted anticipation at the Summer Academy opening orientation in June. As parents and students hung on the edge of their seats, we were pleased to announce that we would culminate our summer with an academic and cultural tour to Washington D.C.

The primary mission of the trip was a college tour, and the mission was certainly accomplished. We visited historically black colleges and universities that exposed our students to various types of higher learning institutions. Hampton University, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and Howard University were only some of the schools we toured.

"After school," so to speak, we spent time traversing classic Washington D.C. monuments, including the Capitol building, White House, and various war and public figure memorials. Museums included the Smithsonian Institute and the Museum of Crime and Punishment just to name a couple. The list of amazing attractions we visited goes on and on.   

From college tours to museums and monuments; sightseeing to delicious food; Washington D.C. broadened HEC Summer Academy students' horizons and was the trip of a lifetime. See for yourself below! 

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Harris Stowe State University

Students got the college experience at Harris Stowe State University during Summer Academy. Staying in dorms, attending classes on campus, and utilizing university resources exposed our students to different aspects of collegiate life.

During this experience, we were quite busy. Students finalized and presented class projects. They also prepared for our closing ceremony by polishing their original presentations, including mimes, poetry, short films, vision boards, and photo slideshow. In our recreational time, we even hosted our first HEC Summer Academy talent show, in which students displayed a variety of talent. Staff even joined in on the fun and left the students in a comical uproar with their surprise performance. 

From hard work to good fun, Harris Stowe State University was a great way to culminate the academic portion of Summer Academy!

Students with the Summer Academy director in Emerson Theatre
following the talent show.

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Speaker Series

Throughout the summer program, academics and activities were only some of the good times we enjoyed. Students and staff also had the incredible privilege of hosting several speakers, and they certainly left their marks on us.

Our speaker series allowed an amazing group of local professionals to share words of wisdom with our young people. Topics ranged from self confidence and self presentation to college tips and teamwork. 

The array of topics reflected the various professions from which each speaker came. We heard from a STEM educational advocate, a professor, a professional dancer, an actress/stage director,  a motivational speaker and author, law enforcement officials, and others. Regardless of their fields, they all came to encourage, motivate, and inspire HEC Summer Academy students.

Speaker leads students through an active listening exercise.

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Yearbook Club

Students, do you remember the epic water balloon fight you all had? What about taking photos during speakers or during lunch break? To the mere outsider, these memories seem totally isolated. To HEC Summer Academy, however, these things all point to the yearbook club in action.

Mr. Bullard, our College and Career Specialist, and Mr. Brown, our science teacher, led Yearbook Club this summer. One of their major directives was giving as many students as possible the opportunity to play photographer and capture snapshots of our special and everyday events. Those images were then edited and arranged to appear in our Summer Academy Yearbook. Also, each student designed a page in their yearbook as their ultimate assignment. Students got to see all their hard work when they received their own copies as memorabilia of the time they invested in their education.

Discussing yearbooks without showing photos is counterproductive. Below are some candid shots of our students in a rare water balloon fight designed to help them decompress and just be kids after a long day of academics. After all, it was summer; a hot summer.  You can tell from the smiles on their faces that yearbook club’s activities did not disappoint.   

 

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish Hospital

Tour guides and hosts share Goldfarb's history with students.

Monitors, machines, mannequins...oh my! In hopes of expanding HEC students' interests in STEM fields, Summer Academy visited the prestigious Goldfarb School of Nursing for one of the field trip Fridays excursions. 

Staff and nursing students shared their medical experiences, but what captivated HEC students the most was the Simulation Institute. This state of the art, training lab fully equipped with mannequins that simulated human responses, including beating hearts, breathing, and giving birth among other functions. 

Nursing staff and students guided Summer Academy participants in small-scale procedures that allowed our students the opportunity to get hands-on in medical training modules that left a positive, memorable impression on our students. HEC Summer Academy had a blast at Goldfarb School of Nursing; see for yourself below!

Learn more about Goldfarb's Simulation Institute. 

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Poetry Club

Snapshots of students writing
and reciting poetry over the summer.

HEC prides itself on providing a rich, rigorous, rewarding academic experience in the classroom. To balance that out over the summer, we provided students to with the opportunity to flex their creative muscles in extra-curricular activities held after classes. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors found and expressed their voices in the poetry club. 

Some students leaped at the chance to write and share their original poetry while some others were reluctant for various reasons. One student felt, "I'm not really a writer." Still another admitted, "All the poetry I've read is hard to understand; I just don't get it." Regardless of their preconceived notions and experiences with the art form, poetry instructor Ms. Lyles urged students to simply try, and the results were well worth the effort. 

Each week, students were given a poetic challenge to conquer, and each week, they rose to the challenge. Their memorable verse included poems that ranged in topics from life as a high school student to social justice. Students even practiced writing in the poetic form called haiku. 

Students poetry was so creative, thoughtful, and captivating select burgeoning poets were invited to share a poem at the closing ceremony at Harris Stowe State University in front of HEC staff, family, and friends. Job well done to all our teen poets!

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company

Students testing out a copper pot.

On our very first Field Trip Friday during Summer Academy, students made some sweet memories while visiting the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. 

The company is a local, family-owned business that opened in 1981 that offers tours and product sampling. So along with touring and tasting, the company also gave our students, who dream of opening businesses or entering the culinary arts profession, a firsthand look at what it is like operating a business. The tour even provided a bit of academics, too.  

We got a little bit a science lesson while there. Tour guides explained how the art of making chocolate is quite scientific. Certain sweet treats should only be cooked in certain metals due to the treats' chemical reactions when heated. Careful attention is given to ensure that products don't stick to the pots or burn, so every sweet delicacy is the highest of quality. With all the fun, knowledge, and treats, this field trip Friday left a sweet taste in our mouths. 

Students and staff having a laugh before the tour.

Curious about what our students saw behind the chocolate factory doors? 

Take a look here. 

  

'15 S.A. Chronicles:

 Career Coach 

HEC Summer Academy provided well-rounded education for students by moving learning from the classroom to a "coach."

St. Louis Community College sponsor the Career Coach. The mobile lab allowed students to explore various STEM fields and potential careers with a hands-on approach. The coach was fully-quipped with lab supplies, worksheets, and plasma televisions that offered students a discovery-based, interactive learning experience.

The Career Coach was a hit amongst HEC students this summer; check out some of them in action!

2015 Summer Academy Chronicles

The 2015-2016 academic year is underway in St. Louis, and that means HEC Upward Bound is gearing up for another fantastic, scholastic experience. Before we kick off Saturday Academy sessions and highlight what’s happening during the school year, let's take a look back over the excitement of the 2015 HEC Summer Academy.

This summer, HEC Upward Bound and Talent Search students merged for academic and cultural enrichment over the course of six weeks. Students sharpened their skills in Geometry, Algebra, Meteorology, and English. They prepared for their futures in College and Career readiness courses and expanded their creative horizons with extra-curricular activities, like Poetry Club, Yearbook Club, and Drama Club. Thursday afternoons, students found themselves captivated by guest speakers, and field trip-Fridays topped off our weeks of learning.

I could keep explaining all the details, but it’s more fun to show them instead. The following posts are dedicated to recapping the 2015 HEC Summer Academy. So, here’s to the 2015 Summer Academy Chronicles! 

Check out this video of staff prepping for Summer Academy. 

Did You Know

Upward Bound Is One of Eight TRiO Programs Pt. 2

You will be the cool kid around town once you know the difference in all eight TRiO programs (at least in our book). Depending on the program, TRiO specifically targets and uplifts first-generation students, low-income students, disabled students, and veterans. Check out the breakdown below.  

Upward Bound- Fosters academic enrichment by providing tutoring, mentoring, and pre-college counseling for high school students interested in earning bachelors degrees. 

Upward Bound Math & Science- Strengthens the math and science skills of high school students and encourages them to study STEM fields in college and attain similar careers after receiving their bachelors.

Veterans Upward Bound- Motivates and assists veterans with developing academic skills needed to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.  

Educational Talent Search- Aims to increase the number of students who graduate from high school and complete post-secondary education by providing them academic and career counseling. 

Student Support Services- Assists current college students with academic development and offers resources to motivate them to complete their degrees.

Educational Opportunity Centers- Provides counseling, information, and resources on college admissions to adults desiring post-secondary education and also seeks to improve financial and economic literary of participants. 

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program- More commonly known as the McNair Scholars Program, prepares participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research, scholarship, and knowledge of navigating Ph.D. programs.

Training Program for Federal TRiO Programs- Trains TRiO staff to enhance their skills and expertise to enrich their respective TRiO programs.

Did You Know?

Upward Bound Is One of Eight TRiO Programs Pt. 1

Some people are not aware that Upward Bound is apart of a collection of federally-funded, academic enrichment programs that were a result of the Education Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act in 1965. The TRiO moniker stems from the original three programs that resulted from these Acts: Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services. 

With a growing demand for assisting economically disadvantaged and first-generation students successfully graduate from high school and attain a bachelors degree, TRiO has grown from three to eight programs. If you never knew the breakdown between the programs or that were even different programs, you're in luck. Part two of this post will offer a quick description of the eight programs that are TRiO. For now, see if you recognize any of the program names.

Upward Bound

Upward Bound Math & Science

Veterans Upward Bound  

Educational  Talent Search

Student Support Services-

Education Opportunity Centers

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Training Program for Federal TRiO Staff 

Student Spotlight: Deja Jackson

HEC Upward Bound is glad to have served Soldan's Deja Jackson. This high-achieving senior graduated among the top in her class. In fact, Jackson worked so hard in school that she earned the honor of salutatorian of the class of 2015. 

Jackson's scholastic achievement earned her admission into 17 colleges across the United States, but she accepted a full-tuition scholarship to Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. So, yes; that means Jackson will be at Jackson in Jackson! Carl Weathers would say, "That's a lot of Jackson action." ;) #cornyjokecorner  

We couldn't be more proud because this new HEC Upward Bound alumna is evidence that #TRiOworks. Deja, keep shining!

Jackson giving her salutatorian address at Soldan's graduation.

Soldan Decision Day 2015

Last week, we discussed the concept of National Decision Day and mentioned that several high schools around the city celebrated the day and their seniors in their own special ways. Well, Soldan International Studies H.S. hosted its Decision Day celebration on May 8, 2015. Music, college dorm giveaways, and frozen yogurt were just some of the festivities. Of course, HEC Upward Bound was there to capture memorable moments as the Soldan Tigers strutted with pride.

Upward Bound students and their school counselors.

Gateway Decision Day 2015

HEC Upward Bound participants who are
seniors at Gateway H.S.

May 1 is known as National Decision Day. It is considered the general deadline for high school seniors to officially select a college by making a deposit at the institution they will attend in the Fall. Various high schools around the city commemorated the day in their own special ways, and Gateway STEM H.S. invited HEC Upward Bound to join them as they got in on the action by hosting their very own celebration.

On May 1, 2015, seniors at Gateway partook in various Decision Day festivities. With a collective sense of excitement in the air, students sported their future colleges’ apparel, received college dorm giveaways, and enjoyed Ted Drew’s frozen custard. Jaguars, congratulations on your decisions, and best wishes for bright, bountiful futures.

Check out Gateway below, but beware, you might find yourself wanting to cut a rug at 9:31. 

  

Metro Academic and Classical High School

Recognizes HEC Upward Bound Students

The end of the school year means a lot of things; EOC exams, field trips, prom, and graduation. For those who are not graduating just yet, the end of the school year also means awards programs. Metro was no exception to the end of the school year rule. 

On April 27, 2015, Metro H.S. honored students for high scholastic achievement and also took time out to recognize its HEC Upward Bound participants.Upward Bound takes pride in sharpening our students. So, we are honored that their involvement and commitment to the program were noteworthy at the school level.

Congrats on your accomplishments, Panthers!

  

This Week in Saturday Academy: 4/29/2015

As stated previously, we finished our last Saturday Academy a couple of weeks ago. Yet, we officially celebrated the close of the 2014-2015 school year on Saturday April 25, 2015. Over 70 students, family members, and HEC staff members were in the building to honor program participants. We had an amazing time at our closing ceremony, but don't take our word for it; see for yourselves.

 Next Saturday Academy: Fall 2015

Happy Summer!