Paj Yang Dada, a
1990 Everett High School graduate and Upward Bound alumni, spoke to the
attendees about her experience in Upward Bound and how it helped her
throughout college and in her successful career as an electrical
engineer at a variety of employers, including Chrysler, General Motors
and the City of Detroit. She encouraged the seniors to persevere and
never give up regardless of the obstacles they may encounter along the
way.
Each senior was individually recognized for their achievements and
shared their goals and dreams for the future, as well as their immediate
college plans. Additionally, each senior received a personal tribute
from state Senator Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Upward Bound students spend time on MSU’s
campus every Monday afternoon during the school year to participate in
tutorial sessions, academic counseling, and enrichment activities.
Tutoring and academic counseling is provided by the professional staff
and MSU upper class
and graduate students. Enrichment activities include speakers from
traditional and non-traditional career areas, visits from college and
university recruiters, group discussions and field trips.
Beyond the weekly sessions at MSU,
the 2014 graduating seniors participated in the following Upward Bound
experiences from their sophomore year through their senior year:
• Major study trips to Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.
• Annual Student Leadership Conference for the Michigan Chapter
• TRiO Day Celebrations, Career Fair and Camp Kiwanis
• Job Shadowing/Work Study Program – Lansing City Council and MSU Student Support Services
• College Buddies Day – Upward Bound students attended MSU classes with their mentors
• Service learning, archery, sailing, golf and community service activities
• Academic enrichment, evaluation, ACT prep, financial literacy and counseling
• MSU Legacy Awards for qualified students
• Personal development – counseling workshop series on various topics
“I am proud to report that 97 percent of our 2014 class is graduating
from high school on schedule and 97 percent of our graduating seniors
have been accepted to college,” Hammond. “Ten of our graduating seniors
will be attending MSU,
12 will be attending Lansing Community College and six will be
attending other four-year colleges. Congratulations to all of our 2014
graduating seniors on a job well-done!”
For nearly 50 years, MSU’s
Upward Bound program has helped hundreds of high school youth in the
Lansing area from low-income families, and/or families in which neither
parent holds a bachelor’s degree, to complete high school and enter a
post-secondary educational institution. This is accomplished by
providing fundamental support and academic instruction in mathematics,
laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages.
Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, career exploration, cultural
enrichment, and work-study programs are also offered. The Upward Bound
Program at Michigan State University motivates talented students from
low-income families to complete high school and enter a post-secondary
educational institution. Using Federal TRiO
program funds, and resources from Michigan State University, the
program identifies students in the Lansing area and assists them in
developing the academic and social skills necessary for matriculation in
post-secondary education.
Photos from the 2014 Upward Bound Senior Celebration can be viewed here.
For more information about MSU’s Upward Bound program, visit www.upwardbound.msu.edu.
