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Blog

Student spotlight: Jayonna Taylor

12/5/2019

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By: College Coach Kyra Woods
College Coach’s Note:
Jayonna is such a strong-willed and compassionate person. Her strong will allows her to be committed to the things that she starts and her compassion allows her to build community during the process. In the short time that I have known Jayonna, I have grown to admire her commitment to Upward Bound and her ability to cultivate community.
Jayonna joined upward Bound because she wanted to be a part of a community that pushed her towards growth. When making the decision to join, she knew that college was a personal goal and thought that this program would be ​very helpful.
Of course, she was absolutely correct. She prides herself on seeking all opportunities that are presented to her and Upward Bound was one of those opportunities.
            Jayonna has an amazing understanding of what a good work ethic produces. She knows that the outcome of her successes are dependent on how much she dedicates herself to them. This is a trait that I would love to see in every Upward Bound student.

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Name: Jayonna Taylor
Grade: Sophomore
Favorite Classes at MCHS: Certified Nursing Assistant class through the Muncie Area Career Center and English
Least Favorite MCHS Classes: Chemistry
Favorite Upward Bound field trip: The group trip to Washington D.C. Seeing the monuments, visiting the Frederick Douglas Memorial house, and taking the boat tour were all very fun things to do.
Favorite Upward Bound Workshop: The Money Madness workshop-- The budgeting activity was really fun and I liked that we got to manage our own money.
Why did you join Upward Bound? I heard about Upward Bound my freshmen year and wanted to be a part of it because of the college readiness aspect. 
How have your grades changed since joining Upward Bound? My grades haven’t changed drastically, but getting help in specific subjects has really allowed me to understand my school work better than before.
Why should someone join Upward Bound? Upward Bound offers emotional and motivational support. If someone needs that and wants to get ready for college this is the perfect program. As long as they are willing to put in work, Upward Bound will work for them. Students should also join for educational field trips and college tours.
What staff member(s) are you closest to? I am closest to Ms. Gabbi. We have a lot of love for each other and she’s always there to help and/or just to talk.
What are you goals for the future? I definitely want to graduate from college and possibly join a collegiate Greek organization. I would also like to travel with friends to Bora Bora one day.
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Senior Days

9/10/2019

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Senior Days are coming to Upward Bound Ivy.

​We want to ensure that all of our students are successful in the college application and transition process. On these days ONLY seniors will be permitted in the classroom, where we will check in with them individually.


This is a time when students can get help with college applications, personal essays, scholarship applications, financial aid, and more!
We have all been seniors before, and know there are a million other things to do besides hang out with Upward Bound on Thursdays. This why we have loaded our seniors with many different incentives:

College Acceptance Letters
We need copies of your college acceptance letters! For every acceptance letter you submit we will add an additional $5 to your stipend (Up to 5 colleges).

Senior Day Attendance
If you attend at least 2 Senior Days per semester you will receive an additional $20 to your stipend.
*Both of these incentives will help you raise your stipend as high as $195/semester!

Dinner Arrangements
Every Senior Day will have a complimentary dinner. So come ready to eat and work!

Senior Photos
Seniors who didn’t participate in Summer Academy can still get their free senior photos with Upward Bound Ivy by attending Senior Days. All seniors who attend the first senior day in September will be eligible to attend a downtown photo session with Ms. Rebecca on Friday, October 4th. A second session will be offered in the spring.

Fall Senior Days Schedule:
September 19 | October 24 | November 7 | December 12
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Ch-ch-ch-Changes! UPWARD BOUND UNVEILS NEW STUDY TABLE FORMAT

8/14/2019

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Upward Bound is a college preparatory program designed to provide support and college admissions help to students who want to succeed academically and go to college.
We have a small staff who are here to help our students, and offer weekly study tables where students can do their homework in a quiet, supportive environment. 

This year, we're approaching our study tables a little differently. We felt that better organization, clearer expectations, and more focused peer-to-peer support was needed to better serve our students and make the most out of our small-but-mighty staff. So buckle up and find out more about our planned changes.

Study Tables are now Monday-Wednesday, 3:15pm-5pm.
No more Thursday Study Tables. 
Thursdays are now for Workshops and Special Events.
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    Timeliness & Preparedness

    This semester, we expect our students to be on time and prepared for study tables.

    Students MUST be in room 441 by 3:15pm WITH homework and necessary books/supplies.

    If students do not have homework or study materials to work on, they will be sent home.

    If students arrive after 3:20pm without a note from a teacher/staff member, they will be sent home. MCHS does not want our students roaming the halls after 3:20pm and have asked us to crack down on this.

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    Working Together
    • Study tables will now be grouped by subject area
      • ALL students will go to the library at 3:30pm after snack/announcements for quiet study at subject area tables.
      • Students should sit at a table based on the subject they’re working on (Math, English, Science, etc) and can move from table-to-table.
      • Students can work together quietly or help each other, as long as they are not copying or being academically dishonest.
      • Students can sign out when they finish their homework or need to go home, but students who are struggling in school will be encouraged to stay the full time.
      • We believe that if students work together, support each other, and create positive study habits together, they will lift each other up. Together we can become better, smarter, and more capable. 
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    Locker/Bathroom/Classroom passes
    • Students should come prepared, and locker/classroom passes will be given out much more sparingly than in the past.
    • If students need to work with a teacher, they should find out before school lets out whether that teacher is actually staying or not – no more wild goose chases looking for teachers who aren’t there.
    • Only one student can get a bathroom pass at a time, so no 20-minute breaks. Another student may be eagerly awaiting your return! 


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    How You Doing? Wednesdays

    ​Every other Wednesday will be a “How You Doing?” Wednesday, and we will ALL participate in grade-checks and guided group conversations before starting study tables.
    The goal of “How You Doing?” Wednesdays is to encourage ownership, goal-setting, good habits, and to give students opportunities to share successes. We want our students to support each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable instead of depending on adults/teachers/parents to do this. 
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    Grade Checks
    • Students will get their binders from the classroom and fill out a grade-check form with the most recent grades in Power Schools. 
    • The goal is to teach student accountability for academic performance and get students thinking about grades more frequently throughout the semester. 
    Small Group Check-In
    • Each Upward Bound staff member will sit in a different area of the library, and students can go sit next to the adult they’d like to talk with.
    • The adults will lead their small group in a discussion about what’s going well in school, where they need to make improvements, where they need support, and what habits they’re trying to break/create. Students aren’t expected to share their grades with each other, but are expected to be honest about where they need to improve and take ownership of what changes they need to make to succeed in school.
    • Students will support each other, encourage each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and hold each other accountable.
    • We’ll end the “How You Doing?” session with Shout-Outs and Points to the Good.
      • Shout-Outs: Telling the group something GOOD you did this week. Something that you’re proud of.
      • Points to the Good: Telling the group something that you’ve noticed another student in UB doing that you think is positive and deserves recognition.
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    2018-2019 highlights

    8/14/2019

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    The 2018-2019 project year for Upward Bound is officially over, and we're enjoying the start of our 2019-2020 year with UB students! Check out this infographic to learn more about the services we provided to our students this year and how our project has grown.
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    Check out the slideshow below to see some highlights from the last year, including: 
    • Tech workshops and classes
    • Programming in Pajamas Overnight
    • STEM Merit trip to Chicago
    • Summer Art Classes
    • Summer Trips
      • Newport, KY
      • Olympiad
    • Summer Catapult Class/Launch
    • Washington, DC Merit Trip
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    Student Spotlight: Jade Grimes

    2/28/2019

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    Director's Note: Jade is somewhat new to Upward Bound, joining late last fall, but in that short time I've grown to appreciate her perseverance, honesty, and thoughtfulness.

    Jade entered this program with the goal of improving her academics. Sometimes when students do that, they expect that we will magically make them into better students and show them the way, but the truth is that nothing we can do will make a real difference if the student doesn't want change for themselves. Jade wanted it. She used the resources and support Upward Bound gave her to build upon the change she was already creating for herself. Her grades have risen significantly since joining our program, and that's due to her own focus, commitment, and work ethic.

    ​Jade is someone that I admire, and I think that her dedication and commitment to change should serve as an example for other Upward Bound students. Change comes from within, and Jade shows us that every day.

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    Name: Jade Grimes
    Grade: Freshman
    Favorite MCHS Classes: World History, English
    Least Favorite MCHS Classes: Math, Biology
    Favorite Upward Bound Workshop: Programming Your Future, where we got to try out a bunch of different tech. 
    Favorite Field Trip: Programming in Pajamas, the overnight competition.
    Why did you join Upward Bound? I joined Upward Bound to better myself, keep my grades up, and get ready for college.
    How have your grades changed since joining Upward Bound? I had 2-3 F's and a D when I joined. My GPA was a 1.3. I didn't want to fail anymore. I wanted to succeed, so I started putting in the work. UB keeps me on task and gives me activities to do after school. Now I have all A's, B's, and C's (with just one lower grade I'm working on). 
    Why should someone join Upward Bound? Upward Bound is like a family. It's more people you can talk to. People that want to help you.
    What staff member(s) are you closest to? Ms. Rebecca
    What are your goals for the future? I want to go to college. Maybe Ball State. I think I'd like to do fashion or nursing. 

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    Student Spotlight: Samara Whitley

    2/28/2019

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    Director's Note: Samara never fails to make me smile with her pointed questions, raised eyebrows, and strong opinions. School is sometimes challenging for her, but in the last year I've seen her strength, determination, and focus grow. I have watched as she's taken on challenges that might have overwhelmed her in the past. I hope she continues to thrive and take her academics seriously, and I know that she is capable of great things. 

    ​Samara has a great support system to help her. At home, she has fiercely devoted and wise parents who do everything they can to help her make good decisions. At school, she has Upward Bound - pushing her, supporting her, and giving her tough love when necessary. If she continues to take advantage of her support system, hold high expectations for herself, and put in the work, I know that she can graduate, go to college, and build a beautiful future for herself. 

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    Name: Samara Whitley
    Grade: Sophomore
    Favorite MCHS Classes: English, Earth Science, Health
    Least Favorite MCHS Classes: Math, Study Hall
    Favorite Upward Bound Trip: Nashville
    How have your grades and study habits improved since joining Upward Bound?
    Right now, I have all A's, B's, and C's. I always try to get good grades, but usually I have at least one D or F, sometimes more. This semester I'm doing a lot better. I'm really taking time with my homework, focusing, and turning it in on time.  
    I've always struggled with math, and I still do, but now I'm taking my time. I don't rush.
    What have the Upward Bound staff done to help get you there? 
    They shadowed me for a whole day of classes. Ms. Gabbi spent the day following me to my classes and asking my teachers how I was doing. 
    Do you feel like the Upward Bound staff care about you? 
    The staff do care about us. They ask every day about our grades, our classes, if we're turning things in on time, if we're focusing... They want to know how we're doing at home and at school. They want to know if we're okay. 
    What are your goals for the future? 
    I want to keep my grades up. I want to go to Ball State, Purdue, or Ivy Tech. I think I'd like cosmetology or maybe to do something in health or medicine.
    What would you say to someone thinking about joining Upward Bound? 
    Upward Bound helps you. If you ask for help, they help you through it. 
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    programming in pajamas

    2/28/2019

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    On Saturday, 2/23 at the Innovation Connector, Upward Bound held an overnight competition called “Programming in Pajamas: Up All Night with Upward Bound.” During this 16-hour overnight competition, 40 students competed in teams of 5-6 to complete the highest number of tasks in the time given. The tasks included Khan Academy math challenges, Hour of Code coding challenges, Shafer Leadership Academy team challenges, and a variety of MPL Digital Climbers challenges using logic games like Gravity Maze, Cat Crimes, and more.
     
    Together our teams completed 301 challenges and our winning team finished 62 challenges. The winners (Red Team) took home $50 each, donated by the Ivy Tech Foundation, and our runner-ups (Purple Team) received a variety of $25 gift cards donated by Ontario Systems. Our partners for the event include the Innovation Connector, the Coding Connector, the Ivy Tech Foundation, Muncie Public Library, Shafer Leadership Academy, Ball State’s Center for Information and Communication Sciences, and Ontario Systems. 
     
    Throughout the night, we enjoyed drop-in performances by a variety of Ball State fraternities and sororities, many of whose members regularly volunteer as tutor-mentors in the Upward Bound program (Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi). The fraternities and sororities stepped, chanted, and strolled for our kids and showed them a fun and exciting aspect of college life they might not be familiar with. We also kept things fun and exciting by peppering the evening with karaoke contests, a blind energy-drink taste-test, a trivia game, and more! 
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    Student Spotlight: Khaleigha Evans

    2/27/2019

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    Director's Note: Khaleigha has been with Upward Bound from the beginning. She is an excellent student and a lovely person. She is always willing to lend a helping hand; whether it's setting up for workshops, organizing the classroom, or even helping get younger students on track. Her active involvement in Upward Bound and her commitment to personal development are incredible.
    Yesterday we had a long conversation about her plans for college, career, and for her future. She's not certain what she will do with her life, but is determined to use her talents to make a difference in this world and help others.
    ​I'm happy to know Khaleigha, and I know she will achieve her dreams and make whatever community she lives in a better place. 
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    Name: Khaleigha Evans
    Grade: Senior
    Favorite MCHS class: Math, Econ.
    Least Favorite MCHS class: English
    Favorite UB Field Trip: IUPUI Research Day
    Favorite Summer Workshop: Networking and Mock Interviews
    Ideal Career: Social work, perhaps.
    Why should someone join Upward Bound? If you're determined to go to college, and you meet the requirements, you should join to help further your education. You may think you're the only one struggling to get to college, but Upward Bound showed me that me and my family were not alone. Other people are experiencing it, too, and now we have people to talk to about it.
    How has Upward Bound helped you? UB has taught me to speak up. I feel like since I'm one of the oldest in the program, I have to take on a leadership role.
    It's getting me ready for college in ways that regular school can't. My grades have improved since joining UB. I've always been a good student, but now I'm even better.
    Tell me about an Upward Bound workshop that stuck with you. The networking workshop and interview workshop during the summer. I met the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club (Jason Newman). I'll always remember him teaching me how to talk about myself and sell myself. He told me he had to drag information out of me and that no one could tell him my story but me. I remember that.
    How do the Upward Bound staff show you that they care? They check in on me and expect me to take ownership and responsibility for my work. Miss KeAyra is always asking me if I got something done, then she says, "Come on, Khaleigha! You know in college they don't check in on you. It's YOUR grade, not mine." She gives me tough love.
    Where are you planning to go to college? I've been accepted to Harris-Stowe in St. Louis, Missouri. It's an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). I think I might major in social work.
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    now hiring for summer 2019

    2/19/2019

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    instructor & intern positions

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    Upward Bound is now hiring instructors and interns for summer 2019. Students will take classes between June 10 and July 12​ (5 weeks). Instructors will be hired for a 7-week period starting June 3, and interns will be hired for either 6 or 7 weeks, depending on position and need.

    Instructor job descriptions can be found below. Those interested in applying should email resume and cover letter to Director Rebecca Parker at rparker113@ivytech.edu. 

    Summer Math Instructor
    Summer English/Composition Instructor
    Summer Physics Instructor (Project-Based Learning)


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    Internships will be posted on Cardinal Career Link and are open to Ball State students. These are paid internships at the rate of $10/hr.
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    The two job titles are "Upward Bound Educational Experiences Intern" and "Upward Bound Social Media and Digital Storytelling Intern." A resume and cover letter are required for all applicants, and they will be contacted via email to set up interviews should they be deemed potential candidates. 

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    help send addie and arian to colombia!

    1/31/2019

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    Director's Note: Addie and Arian are two of our highest-performing Upward Bound students. They are ambitious, thoughtful, kind, persistent and exceptionally hard-working. If you have a few dollars to spare, please consider donating to their fundraiser at the links below. The girls wrote an excellent fundraising request letter with details of their request. Addie and Arian told me that anything earned over their stated goal will go towards any unexpected travel costs or their service project in Colombia. 

    Written by: Addie Davis and Arian Storms
    Addie's fundraising page 
    Arian's fundraising page
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    Hola! We are two students that were picked for an amazing opportunity to travel to Colombia. Our names are Addie Davis and Arian Storms. We are from Muncie Central High School and have excelled in Spanish for almost 3 years. Not only have we become skilled in Spanish, we are very driven and strive to learn everything we can about the geography and culture of Spanish-speaking countries like Colombia. Our academic achievement is exceedingly high as we are taking Honors, college-based, and AP classes. We are in a number of activities and make a huge effort to be involved in a lot.  We love just about everything about Spanish. This includes being able to talk to others, reading Spanish stories, and listening to people speak in Spanish. Although we are young, Spanish has been our passion since we learned to say hi. We hope nothing more than to learn as much as we possibly can.
    We have been given a great opportunity from our Spanish teacher to join her in her travels to Colombia. We were chosen because of all the amazing attributes we possess and for our love of Spanish. The city we will be traveling to is Bucaramanga, Santander and we will be staying for a total of four weeks. Not only will we be learning about the culture and advancing our speaking in Spanish, but we are volunteering at a charitable foundation called Goals for Peace. Here, we will help out by giving English classes, sports training, help with arts and crafts workshops and helping with homework assistance. We believe that volunteering is a great way to have a positive impact on the people and places that you pass on your travels.  The one thing that would help us achieve this dream would be money. Both of us come from low-income families, it is hard for driven students like us to pursue international learning opportunities when we do not have access to the monetary support that many of our wealthier peers have. It is very expensive to travel such a long way to such an amazing city and we need all the help we can get. We want the best out of our trip and want to experience many things. Any donation, large or small, will help us get one step closer to Colombia and to achieving this goal.  Espero que puedas ayudar! (hope that you can help). 

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