Congrats Lizeth Delgado and Kassia Felton

By: C. Lyles

On Jan. 22, Gateway STEM High School hosted a FAFSA Frenzy night to assist students and their families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. HEC-Upward Bound’s very own Marvin Bullard was present to witness seniors Lizeth Delgado and Kassia Felton attend the event and successfully complete their applications.

While the application is certainly surmountable, the FAFSA isn’t as intuitive as it seems. So, high schools and resource centers throughout St. Louis host FAFSA completion events and offer a helping hand to families to ensure that students have the best financial aid packages as they journey into higher education.

Different colleges have different FAFSA deadlines. Therefore, seniors heading to college in Fall 2015 certainly need to complete the application as soon as possible. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen should familiarize themselves with the process. It’s never too early to start inquiring about ways to gain money for school, especially if it is free money.

Speak with school counselors and Upward Bound staff about preparing for and completing the FAFSA, so you can join the ranks of Lizeth Delgado and Kassia Felton. Congrats, ladies! Go Jaguars!

Herman Armstrong:

The Man behind the Mission

By: C. Lyles 

The familiar adage says, “As the leader goes, so goes the body.” In the case of Program Director Herman Armstrong, the HEC-Upward Bound team is in good hands. Our director displays fearless leadership and a deep commitment to launching students into successful futures. But, here’s a little bit more about the man behind the mission.

Armstrong graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and later earned his M.B.A. from University of Phoenix. In his free time, he enjoys speaking to groups, offering words of encouragement, and writing. Several of his published articles can be found in the “Inspirational Messages” column of the St. Louis American.

Even with so many personal accomplishments, Armstrong’s dedication to Upward Bound remains unwavering. In his four years of service to the program, Armstrong recalls his favorite memory working with students. “Summer 2014, we did a heart dissection at SLU medical school. The students were really engaged, and it was an enriching experience for all.”

When asked about the best part of his job, the answer came easily. “What I love most is having the opportunity to create real and lasting change in students' lives,” Armstrong shared. “I have a hand in them achieving their dreams and being successful.” Our students couldn’t have a better Program Director in their corners.