Applications are now being accepted for 20 to 25 new high school students to join the Upward Bound Program.
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Applications are now being accepted for 20 to 25 new high school students to join the Upward Bound Program.
“This year, we will focus recruitment on ninth graders and college-bound juniors from all six target schools,” Kendra Wolgast, Upward Bound director, said.
Upward Bound is a pre-college program offered to students in grade nine through at Trenton R-9, Grundy R-5, Tri-County R-7, Chillicothe, Gallatin and Penney (Hamilton) high schools.
Trenton and Grundy R-5 students have until Sept. 26 to apply while Tri-County applications will be accepted until Sept. 27. Other deadlines include Gallatin, Sept. 30; Penney High School, Oct. 3; and Chillicothe, Oct. 9. Interested students can obtain an application from their high school guidance counselor or by visiting the North Central Missouri College website at www.ncmc.cc.mo.us.
This program has many benefits for college-bound students at no cost, Mrs. Wolgast said. The Upward Bound program is externally funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the category of TRIO Programs.
“I have learned so much, especially personally. I will never forget the experiences,” said Chillicothe graduate Shannon Curl, 2002 UB alumnus who is now attending Hannibal La-Grange College.
“Students have a lot of fun, form lasting friendships and acquire an eye-witness view of life at college,” observed Trenton graduate Stacy King, 2002 UB alumnus who now attends the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Upward Bound is designed to give motivational skills, provide academic instruction, and offer necessary support services to eligible college-bound students. Students are eligible if they attend one of the six target schools, have completed the eighth grade but have not entered the 12th grade, and meet one of two family requirements: neither parent has a four-year college degree or the family’s income does not exceed certain federal guidelines.
During the school year, students take a semester class at their high school to receive assistance with school work, study skills, career exploration, college search, ACT preparation and much more.
Currently, the semester Upward Bound class has been approved as an elective high school credit by four of the six schools, with school board approval still anticipated by the two remaining schools. Students also attend weekly academic advising sessions where they can receive assistance with homework and studying for tests.
Each month, students attend a Saturday Seminar on the NCMC campus where they choose among various career and growth workshops. Round-trip transportation is provided to all participants. A second Saturday session is provided each month for students interested in visiting area colleges and businesses.
In the summer, students participate in a six-week college simulation on the NCMC campus and go home on the weekends. During the first five weeks, students take academic and enrichment classes in areas of math, English, laboratory science, computers, foreign language, creative writing, aerobics, weightlifting and creative drawing. Students also participate in community service projects and visit other college campuses. During the sixth week of the summer program, students are rewarded with a cultural trip to another area. In the past, students have visited the Wisconsin Dells, Nashville and Cincinnati, OH
For more information, students can contact the Upward Bound Office at 660-359-3948, ext. 346, or attend an informational meeting or booth during one of the following times:
Sept. 11 and 12, Barnes Hall on the NCMC campus, 6 to 7 p.m.; Sept. 12, Chillicothe High School, 7 to 9 p.m.; Sept. 18, Gallatin High School, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 19, Penney High School at Hamilton, 6 to 7 p.m.; and Sept. 25, Chillicothe High School College Night, 6:30 to 8 p.m.