Fifth Time Around

The Trio Upward Bound program, a federally funded grant college preparatory program, finished its fifth Six-Week Summer Enrichment Program at the North Lake College campus in July.

The summer program is designed to prepare students, who attend any of Irving’s four high schools, for academic success by providing challenging classes in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, foreign language, and dramatic arts, as well as workshops Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. On Fridays, the students have the opportunity to take field trips to locals Dallas/Fort Worth colleges and universities, or tour businesses and industries that give them exposure to careers that they may want to explore after finishing college.

The Upward Bound staff, directed by Guy Melton, has been working with the program since its inception, and they have seen many students’ lives transformed. The objectives of the grant fit along with the presidential initiative to “Leave No Child Behind.” Students in Upward Bound are given an opportunity—free of charge—to be directly involved in their own educational decisions.

Besides the summer enrichment program, Upward Bound benefits the students in many ways by providing life and leadership skills with real world experience.

When the participants were asked, “Do you feel that the TRIO Upward Bound Program at North Lake helped you to experience college life?” Esteven Garcia, a junior at the Academy of Irving, wrote, “Yes, because of the fact that we go to different colleges every Friday. (It) helps me to have a better understanding (of college).”

Luisa Esquivel, a senior at the Academy of Irving, wrote, “Yes, before I came here, I didn’t want to go to college and now I do.”

Jeanette Cervantes, a senior at Nimitz High School, also writes, “Yes, it makes you want to get really prepared for college.”

During the academic year (fall and spring semesters), the students are provided with free after-school tutoring in their core academic studies, as well as informative workshops and guest speakers during their monthly Saturday meetings on campus. Students have attended workshops on time management, study skills, money management, test anxiety, career development and much more.

As an incentive, the participants also receive a monthly stipend that is directly tied to their tutoring, Saturday meeting attendance and the summer enrichment program.

TRIO Upward Bound recruits high school students who attend any high school in Irving in grades 9 to 11. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact the office at 972-273-3377. Or visit the Web site at http://test.northlakecollege.edu:81/scresources/ub/ubhp.htm.

--Catina Betoncur is a tutor coordinator for North Lake's Upward Bound program.