The Return of the Saturday Academy

“It's essential to keep moving, learning and evolving for as long as you're here and this world keeps spinning” 

― Rasheed Ogunlaru

 

On October 15th, 2016, the Saturday Academy made its return. We had a great turn out.  It is quite amazing to see a group of young people who give up their Saturday to receive more education. The staff was very impressed and motivated by the students who showed up. This is going to be a great year!

Message to Students

 Stay encouraged through out the year. Times do get hard. But never give up and use your resources. Remember that HEC serves as an extra resource to you. Keep in contact with your teachers, principals, and counselors. We are all here to serve you and see you walk across those stages!

 

Message to Seniors

Remember that the FAFSA date has moved up to October 1st. Parents are allowed to come to Saturday Academy on October 29th, 2016. Also, HEC has volunteered with most high schools to help with the FAFSA!

Make sure you are getting applications out and checking on deadlines for your selected colleges.  ANY HELP YOU NEED PLEASE REACH OUT TO US! 

One group trying to figure out how they are going to survive in college

Students mixing in groups to get to know one another

Seniors looking at different ways to rest while in college

Senior Class of HEC Students

Look at all of those Educated and determined HEC Students

Being engaged while telling the groups about their character

"Sometimes you have to do what you don't like to get to where you want to be "

- Tori Amos

Getting some advice about attending college

Ms. Nolan brought in her "Life Coach" and  Mentor Danielle Washington from Wyman Teen Leadership Program. Danielle participated in Wyman TLP and has been working for Wyman since she was in High School. Danielle was the guest speaker for the first Saturday Academy and challenged the HEC students with different scenarios of going to college. The HEC students had an opportunity to get to know one another and think about their future plans.

The Seniors discuss what subjects they need to learn about college before Graduation

When the Seniors of HEC think  they are funny

 

Welcome Students the start of Saturday Academy of 2016/2017

On Saturday, September 24th HEC welcomed many new and current students to the Saturday Academy. The Summer Academy of 2016 was a great success. We welcomed a new staff member to the HEC Staff. The staff hopes that the students are more than excited to start this new year. The staff is extremely excited to move forward. The HEC staff has taken on a theme for this year which is  "NO EXCUSES."

First off we would like to welcome Ms. Lisa Nolan to the HEC Staff and family. Ms. Nolan is now the College & Career Counselor for HEC Upward Bound. Ms. Nolan graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with her Bachelor's of Science in Social Work. Ms. Nolan will be attending Regent University to pursue her Masters of Art in Non-Profit Leadership. She will also be pursuing her Masters of Social Work in the near future.

The current students welcomed Ms. Nolan this summer with much excitement. Ms. Nolan had the opportunity to work with the Sophomores along side Ms. Lyles. Ms. Lyles and Ms. Nolan tagged team Poetry and College and Career Readiness. The current students made sure that Ms. Nolan knew what she was in for!

There were three panelist who came and spoke to the students on the subject "If I knew now what I knew then"

ReNeaSha Ford, Desiree Joyner and Constance Moment brought to the table three different perspectives and walks of life. ReNeaSha ford was a participant with the Upward Bound Program with Forest Park. Desiree Joyner and Constance Moment both were participants in HEC Upward Bound. The panelist answered questions honestly and were able to help out students and parents. They discussed finances, FAFSA, how to talk to professors and they even talked about students being away from parents. All three speakers were insightful and HEC sends a huge thank you to them for taking time on a Saturday to come and speak to the HEC family.

HEC would like to welcome our phenomenal teachers to the start of our school year. The following is a list of teachers and what they will be teaching:

• Mr. Bullard- 12th Grade College & Career Readiness
• Mr. Brown-Science
• Ms. Nolan-Life Skills
• Mr. Mayham- Communication Arts
• Mrs. Turner-Mathematics
• Ms. Christina Garnett-Social Worker

On behalf of HEC Upward Bound we would like to welcome our students and families.This year is the start of something new. Our staff has been working hard to make sure that we are following our mission. Students be prepared to be challenged, but supported. Be ready to grow and know how to move forward.

Mr. Herman Armstrong, Director

Mr. Marvin Bullard, College & Career Specialist

Ms. Lisa Nolan, College & Career Specialist

Just for fun. Below are some fun photos from the Saturday Academy and Summer Academy 2016:

Ms. Garnett making panelist ReNeaSha laugh.

Mr. Bown & Mr. Sedrak participating in the ice breaker

Mr. Bullard and Mr. Armstrong having fun during the ice breaker

Ms. Middleton and a group of HEC student experiencing the Ledge in Chicago

Another group experiencing the Ledge with Ms. Lyles and Ms. Nolan

Mr. Armstrong experiencing the Ledge with students

The women staff of HEC taking selfies at the Bean in Chicago

The HEC family had an amazing time during the Summer Academy of 2016!

2016 Senior Roll Call

Some of our seniors posing after a session.

ACT and SAT tests…FAFSA…course credits…recommendations…scholarships deadlines…college applications...of course, homework! These are just some of the responsibilities high school seniors have to maintain. It is no easy feat standing at the crossroad between childhood and young adulthood juggling several plates and trying not to drop any.

HEC Upward Bound staff and faculty hope to alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with this major transition for our students. We assist with test prep, FAFSA completion, college applications and recommendations, securing scholarships, and yes, even homework. Why? Because when students succeed, we succeed.

Calling all 2016 HEC Upward Bound SENIORS at Vashon, Gateway, McCleur, Carnahan, and Soldan! We’re in your corner, and we’re cheering you on the whole way through.  

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