The Proven Alternative

HEC Upward Bound's resident technology guru, Mr. Bullard, created a video presentation to share at our recent end of the school year celebration. Take a look to learn more about what the program does, and check out HEC Upward Bound students as they share the spotlight with some famous Upward Bound alumni.  Click here for Upward Bound Video

Gearing up for the 2014-2015 Closing Ceremony

HEC Upward Bound's closing ceremony is right around the corner. This year, it's all about the students; highlighting their accomplishments and talents. Accordingly, a couple of our seniors host the celebration, which will also feature student speakers and award students for their dedication, character, and completing program requirements during the 2014-2015 school year. With the shining personalities in our group, we will certainly have a memorable time.  

How students will feel on the inside when
their names are called for awards.

This Week in Saturday Academy: 4/11/2015 a.k.a. The Last Dance

Well, not literally the last dance. In fact, there was no dancing at all, but this was our last official session before our end of the year celebration. Even still, students showed up focused and ready to put in work.  

Aside from academics, students’ minds were on one other thing. It’s that thing that happens in Upward Bound programs across the nation when the weather gets warmer, days get longer, and the school year winds down…SUMMER ACADEMY!

Their Summer Academy excitement is justified. Students are in for a jammed packed summer with interactive academic enrichment sessions, thought-provoking field trips, and extra-curricular activities. In addition to the week-long Harris Stowe State University overnight experience (students stay on college campus), students are in for a college tour this year that tops all our previous trips!

Students also helped prepare for our end of the year celebration by offering statements for a video slideshow. We look forward to celebrating their commitment to the program and their accomplishments. Here’s a little music to get us all geared up for our impending ceremony.

Next Saturday Academy: CLOSING CEREMONY; 

April 25, 2015   

Student Spotlight: Keith Williams

HEC Upward Bound’s Keith Williams was among a select group of St. Louis Public School students competing in the 27^th Annual SLPS Secondary Math Contest. 

Williams, a freshman, and other students specially chosen by Gateway STEM High School personnel represented the school in the competition on Saturday March 28, 2015 at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy. Students showed their skills in categories including, Calculus, Integrated Math Concepts, Trigonometry, Algebra, Advanced Algebra, and Geometry.

The competition results will be released approximately two weeks following the contest to ensure ample time for accurate grading, but we will not wait to celebrate Williams. We’re excited that he was chosen to compete, and with his work ethic in Upward Bound and school, we know he gave a stellar performance. Williams is evidence that TRiO works.

Way to go, Keith!    

UPDATE on 4/21/2015: Keith competed in Geometry and placed 3rd in the category from Gateway!  

This Week in Saturday Academy 3/28/15

If you missed the last Saturday Academy, you missed a great deal of information, inspiration, and fun, and boy, did things get interactive! After a game of Body English (spelling words out with your body), students and parents found themselves sharing goals and dreams with each other and left empowered, encouraged, and informed. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, check out some snapshots of HEC Upward Bound executive director Mr. Armstrong leading our last parent-student meeting of the 2014-15 academic year. 

"Had a great time discussing college
and how to adapt to life's situations in order to be
 successful with my students!" -H. Armstrong

"...students spelling out the word CHANGE. 

Change is a constant part of life. Learning to accept and 

deal with is necessary for success!" -H. Armstrong 

"'ADAPT!' Adaptation to surroundings and 

circumstances is what will separate those who 

succeed in life and those who do not." -H. Armstrong 

Next Saturday Academy: April 11, 2015 

Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters

Representatives from HEC’s Educational Opportunity Centers and Upward Bound attended the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s 2014-15 Annual Financial Aid Certification – Series 2 Training. While that sounds quite complicated, our ISAC trainer made all the discussion about financial aid and funding for higher education both accessible and literally tangible.

One of the hands on activities attendees practiced was decoding financial aid award letters. Someone may ask, “What’s to decipher?” Well, there is a lot to consider when looking at a financial aid award letter so families ultimately select the best deal. Below are some takeaways when breaking down award letters:

Be like this baby when it comes
to reading your award letters.

1. Total cost of attendance. Go in with your eyes wide open. Many folks stop at tuition and room & board, but the total cost of attendance encompasses much more, such as tuition, room & board, books, travel expenses, and miscellaneous expenses. 

2. Terms of scholarships and grants. Just because you get it one year, doesn’t mean you will automatically get it the next year. Some scholarships and grants are only for freshmen; if so, consider how those costs will be covered later. Some scholarships and grants are only renewable if you maintain a certain GPA. Also, check if you can keep your athletic scholarship in the event that you cannot play for a duration of time. It's all in the fine print; so read the whole page.

3. Use a comparison worksheet. It’s only the holy grail of financial aid land! This offers you a side-by-side comparison of how much each school is giving you and how much you’ll have to come out of pocket. Do the math for each school; the school with the highest cost of attendance, just may offer you more aid. So, use the worksheet below to do the math! To access it, visit www.isac.org and follow these links: Students & Parents → Before College → Making an Informed Choice → Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet

Mr. Armstrong on "Life after High School"

By: C. Lyles

After completing secondary education, students must be prepared for their various pathways in order to be successful. Youth also need not make every mistake their predecessors did when they can simply learn from our experiences. Yet, how can they avoid familiar pitfalls and be prepared for their futures if we fail to provide insight on the next phase(s) of life?

Following the Lieberman presentation.

With his presentation “Life after High School,” Mr. Armstrong is working to address this question by ensuring as many St. Louis area students are ready for what comes next regardless of what their respective nexts include. Juniors at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy and seniors at Lieberman Alternative School learned tips on developing goals and planning for life after high school graduation.

In addition to providing such insight, “I told them plain and simple,” Mr. Armstrong said, “If I can make it, then so can you!” Wise, inspiring words; for sure.  

During the Miller Career Academy talk.