She is able to persist in the task at hand, even if something slightly more interesting is going on with her friends. While taking her grades seriously, Emilia also makes time for things that she really enjoys such as the performing arts and healthy friendships. Before joining Upward Bound, she took her academics seriously. However, after joining this program, Emilia learned that Upward Bound pushes you towards academic success and nurturing friendships. Emilia’s desire for academic greatness is reflected in her grades and her desire for close friendships is reflected in the bonds that she has made within Upward Bound. She has the ability to balance her passion for the arts, friendships, and her academics. I see her as an influential student for others in Upward Bound.  Grade: Junior Favorite Class at MCHS: English. Least Favorite Class at MCHS: Why did you join Upward Bound? My mom heard about it and she wanted my sister and I to join for school help and college prep. I also knew people who were already in Upward Bound and they said I should join. Favorite Upward Bound field trip: Washington and Chicago! Washington was fun because of the trip to the Virginia Beach and being with friends. Seeing the monuments and the Holocaust museum was also nice. Favorite Upward Bound Workshop: I liked the New year, New you workshop. It was nice to visualize my goals that way. How have your grades changed since joining Upward Bound? My grades were pretty good before joining Upward Bound, so they have not changed much. However, my friendships have changed for the better since joining Upward Bound. Why should someone join Upward Bound? Since Upward Bound gives us a stipend, we basically get paid to do things that help us. Also, the special workshops they have for the seniors seem really nice. Other students should join if they want to learn more about college admissions and if they want to build good friendships. What staff member(s) are you closest to? I am closest to Ms. Dachele. She is always checking in and is intentional about bonding with us. She’s also playful and professional at the same time. I see her as very influential in Upward Bound. What are you goals for the future? I would like to do something with the performing arts. I really like dramatic acting and I would like to perform on Broadway one day. I haven’t decided what I want to study in college yet, but I am also interested in Dentistry and Psychology.
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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.  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.
 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  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.  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.  Working Together
 Locker/Bathroom/Classroom passes
 How You Doing? WednesdaysEvery 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.
Small Group Check-In
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.  Check out the slideshow below to see some highlights from the last year, including:
 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.
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.
 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.
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.
 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! 
 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.  instructor & intern positions 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) 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. 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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