Higher Education Consortium (HEC) Upward Bound

Thursday, February 23, 2017

The Purpose of Me

If you had an opportunity to write a book about yourself what would it be titled? What would your table of contents consist of? How would you describe your family? What would be the ending? How do you envision your retirement? What is the conclusion of your life?

Angel showing us how she visions her family

The seniors had an opportunity to write a mini book about themselves and what their life looks like and how they for see their future.

Ms. Nolan asked, "Why is this important?"
Senior, Amanda Watts, attends Cardinal Ritter,"I am taking psychology and we are learning that the family relationships that we have can affect our future. We learn a lot from our family."

Ke'Shaun showing off his drawing skills

There are many factors that can determine our future. One thing Ms. Nolan pushes is to know yourself. Know yourself especially when entering a new environment and opportunity. Do not expect to have your life together by the age of 18. But know how to self- empower, self-advocate, self-love and step back and recharge yourself.

ATTENTION PARENTS

We discussed asking a lot of questions whether your child is going to military, a four-year university, community college, tech school or whatever your child decides to do. Parents, everything is a business and they will sell you hopes and dreams. Sometimes, places and programs keep their word, other times we see that they said what they needed to say in order to grab your attention. Ask questions! If you are confused keep asking them to break it down. This is your child's future and ultimately your future!

Also, parents, please please please be an ear to your child. College is getting harder. It is becoming more stressful. We discussed as a group; that most of our students are not prepared for college. This can be for many reasons. When your students calls you crying about math; believe them. When they can not pass a class and they have done nothing;believe them. There is a struggle. Support them. send a candy bar. Be silly and most importantly love them and make sure that they know that. This is a journey where they will need you! But the most important thing is realizing this action can start now while your child is still under your roof and in high school.

Photo Fun

Parents and Student getting to know each other

Ms. Nolan trying to speak on military services and giving advice to parents and students about making decisions

The Urban League held a free event where students were able to receive free clothing

Alumni of Upward Bound came back to speak to current students

Mr. Bullard speaking to Freshman at Carnahan High School

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Reviewing Yourself

We all have thought that we had it together. However, double checking and making sure is not a bad idea. Ms. Donnie Harris came and spoke to the HEC seniors about having a timeline from this point until graduation. She went step by step of how the senior year should look.Under each section seniors put what they have done this is years so far. Ms. Donnie Harris put it into great perspective about having a timeline and know when and where to do certain tasks. She also talked about if we have missed somethings, that it may not be too late. There are times when we can catch up on things while other times once we miss the opportunity, it is gone and we have to develop a new plan.

Students also viewed a video of a baby bear running away from a mountain lion that planned on eating the baby bear. The baby bear ran far and fast. The baby bear had a lot of different road blocks as well as almost came close to being touched and attacked by the mountain lion. As soon as the mountain lion got close to the baby bear and the baby bear thought it was over; he went to roar and when he did there was a bigger bear behind him. The mountain lion was scared and ran away. The point is keep persevering through your situation. Just when you thought you were alone there is always somewhere there to help you.

Ms. Christina spoke with our HEC Upward Bound students about knowing you weaknesses and your strengths. Knowing yourself helps you to build relationships with other people and it helps you to have a great confidence in yourself. Ms. Christina continued with her lesson on power. We all have our own powers. We can combine our powers with one another. Whatever our weakness is that can be someone else's strength. Knowing you will help you to be successful and will assist you to move forward in your obnoxious dreams.

Students discussing what support is and how it is important

Our group men discussing what trust is and why it is important

Mr. Bullard spoke with freshmen from Carnahan. He talked with them about how to prepare for life now for the future. There were examples about how to make a brand for yourself. Mr. Bullard went into detail about having obstacles and overcoming them.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Using your Power to Overcome your Fear

On January 28th, 2017 the HEC Upward Bound Family received the opportunity to watch Hidden Figures.
This was a great movie. It also went along with what our teachers and staff have been talking to the students about.
This movie is based off of real life events. The three main characters:

Mary Jackson

Katherine G. Johnson

Dorothy Vaughn

These were all three women who represented an even greater group of Black Women who worked for NASA, but were never recognized.
Mary Jackson, was encouraged to fight for a place to receive her engineering degree. When the new IBM machine could not be figured out by the experts, Dorothy Vaughn went to the library and started reading on technology. She got the IBM machine to start working and she became supervisor. Katherine Johnson, she could work with any numbers you gave her. She almost lost her job due to the IBM machine, but NASA needed her. She was able to make sure the Friendship 7 made it to space safely and came back to Earth safely.

What is all this? Each of these ladies used their power to get them where they need to be. There were hundreds of road blocks. Everyone telling them that they were not going to make it. They were sacrificing time with family and practically living where they worked. But they made it. They impacted their work place, family, community and their selves more than they could every imagine.

HEC Upward Bound Family and Partners

Students this can be you.

Ms. Christina talked to the group multiple times about the powers we hold.
She informed us:
"Superheroes represent the worlds trust and expectations of 1 being/person, expected to have supernatural powers to rescues the, from harm and danger. Most superheroes have certain powers that can only defeat certain things. Superheroes usually have moral character- they do things for the greater good."
Have you thought about what characteristics you want to stand out that you have?
Mrs. Turner talked about the other hand which is FEAR. She explained that Fear can have two definitions"Forget Everything And Run"
or
"Face Everything And Rise"

The moral of the story: Realize your vision. Facing your fear means that you know and respect yourself more and your confidence grows.

Students:
This is what HEC Upward Bound is all about. Helping you to realize that you are the change you need to be. You have the power to overcome your fear.

http://17000-days.com/beyond-fear/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE7jS8bfScI

–

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Using your Power and Knowing your Responsibility

This last Saturday of the academy really toned into who we are, what powers we have and what our responsibilities are. Ms. Christina talked to the seniors specifically about their power. Mrs. Tuner gave us some hard truth to deal with.

Both conversation empowered us as a group, but also it brought us to some realities.

Mrs. Tuner posed the questions "Are you feeding your mind or is your mind feeding you?"
in other words what are you doing to overcome those obstacles? Yes, we all (including adults) go through peer pressure. No one wants to be the "lame." When everyone is saying yes to what society tells us, we do not want to be the one person who is different and says "no."Which in all honestly you do not have to.
If you choose to smoke that cigarette, know the consequences.
If you choose to take that drink. Then don't be surprised when something negative happens.
When you decide to say "no" when everyone else has said "yes." Be prepared to lose people in your life that said they would always have your back.
WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED WHEN LIFE DOES NOT GO OUR WAY. WHEN THE ANSWERS COMES BACK TO US THAT WAS NOT THE ANSWER WE EXPECTED WE HAVE TO BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

We are all in charge of our own life. There are somethings that we can stop.

Mrs. Turner asked all students to name three things that they fear. What is it that is taking over your mind? What is it that is stopping you from being successful? Sometimes we have to just take that step and overcome that thing.

Sometimes you, Parents, Students and Staff, are your biggest enemy! You are feeding your mind with "CAN'Ts" instead of "I'm going to try." or "I'm going to ask for help." That is where we as people need to change! We are the stoppers in our life!

Face your fear and know your power!