Upward Bound students complete 40th summer

of UVa-Wise program

Area high school students and 2006 high school graduates recently completed their summer term of Upward Bound at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. During this 40th summer of the program, students participated in various classes and engaged in a variety of activities revolving around the theme of “United We Stand.”

Students currently attending high school took classes throughout the summer to help prepare them for their upcoming SOL subjects. Areas of focus for these classes included English, literature, algebra, geometry, advanced mathematics, biology, ecology, chemistry, U.S. history, 20th century history, government and Spanish. Students were also given the opportunity to choose elective courses in art, dance and creative writing.

In addition, students who graduated from high school this year and who are enrolled to attend UVa-Wise this fall took “American History II” and “Theory and Practice of Drawing” for college credit.

Beyond their academic studies, students also participated in the College’s work-study program. Students either worked in a campus office, participated in a photojournalism class to produce a summer magazine or participated in a career development course, which featured guest speakers, field trips to job sites, mock interviews and research paper assignments.

Upward Bound students Steven Hensley and Amy Bugarski presen a wreath in honor of the College at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

Upward Bound students also had the chance to have a little fun, too. The students attended events at Barter Theatre and Bristol Motor Speedway and traveled to Washington, D.C., where they visited various museums and national landmarks. At Arlington National Cemetery, Upward Bound students Steven Hensley and Amy Bugarski presented a wreath in honor of the College at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Hensley and Bugarski will attend UVa-Wise this fall.

As participants of the program, students receive free tutoring, academic counseling, motivational sessions, test information, and college prep. Also, Upward Bound pays for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, college applications, and some dual enrollment and AP classes for those juniors and seniors who qualify.

Upward Bound of UVa-Wise serves low-income and/or first-generation high school students from ten schools in the City of Norton and Wise, Dickenson, and Russell counties. The program, which has been at the College since 1966, now serves 65 students and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Over the last 6 years, 90 percent of the graduating seniors have enrolled in college; to date, 74 percent of those students are still enrolled or graduated this year.

The program’s activities are free to the students, who also receive a stipend for participation. Interested students may check with their school guidance counselor or contact the Upward Bound office at (276) 328-0175 for eligibility requirements and application information. Students must be enrolled in college-bound track classes and maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5. Additional information may also be found by visiting the Upward Bound web site at people.uvawise.edu/upward_bound/index.html.

Upward Bound students who recently graduated from high school and took courses for UVa-Wise credit include Jacob Adams of Clintwood, Amy Bugarski of Ervinton, Joseph Turner of Castlewood, and Shauna Bryant, Sally Duty, Steven Hensley, Breanna Jones, Fallon Mullins, and Amanda Sykes, all of Coeburn.

The high school students who participated in the summer program included the following:

DICKENSON COUNTY

Clintwood

Valerie Mullins

Ervinton

Isaac Moore

Lori Moore

Sarah Moore

Timmy Stevens

WISE COUNTY

Coeburn

Tabitha Duty

Faith Frost

Ariel Kennedy

Josh Mullins

Pound

Angela Cantrell

Austin Gilliam

Tiffany Sturgill

St. Paul

April Hileman

Tanya McReynolds

Wise

Jessica Branham

Ashley Bryant

Katherine Collins

Cheyenne Elam

Patience Gardner

Cindy Greene

Stephen Greene

Misty Lucas

Brittany Marcum

Posted August 2, 2006