The Edge: a Publication of Upward Bound

The Edge: A Publication of Upward Bound

Hi Everyone, January 2016 We have made it half way through another school year! It has been a fun, Meet the New Advisors 2 eventful past few months for Upward Bound and I hope you enjoy reading Upward Bound Trips 3-5 our UB students’ creative articles featured in this newsletter. Upcoming Events & UB in 6 Action As you probably have noticed, we have had a lot of changes this year within Upward Bound. A warm welcome to all of our new staff and new students. I am very thankful that I get to partner with all of you on the journey.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!

- Ms. Tigney

MEET THE NEW UB ADVISORS!

Mr. Carter Ms. Gonzalez Ms. Judd

Mr. Carter is from Ms. Gonzalez is from Megan Judd graduated Fayetteville, TN. For the past Houston, TX born and from Baylor University in 10 years, he has worked in raised. She graduated Waco, TX with a Bachelor's Youth Development. He from Stephen F. Austin Psychology. Originally from graduated from Middle State University with a Dallas, she has found her Tennessee State University Bachelor's Degree in new home in Houston with a Bachelor's in Health English and a minor in where she resides with her Education and a Master’s in Linguistics. menagerie of animals and Education. Some of his She enjoys working with her collection of quirky passions are family, health, young adults and college coffee cups. Megan has a volunteering, church and students. She loves to heart for young people, and mentoring. Mr. Carter also give back to her is excited to get to know cares deeply about the community. She is a students and help them direction of our youth. His proud alumni of the Lone grow into the successful hobbies are running, cooking, Star College—North young adults that they all reading, working out, playing Harris Upward Bound are destined to become. sports and hanging with program. Ms.Gonzalez's Ms. Judd enjoys baking, friends. Mr. Carter’s hobbies include working reading, yoga, and going on grandmother remains his out, reading books, and exciting new adventures. most powerful inspiration. dancing.

Upward Bound Trips & Events

SWASAP Student Leadership Conference: October 9-11

This conference was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I learned so many new ideas and met so many positive people. They taught us that everyone has their own personal struggle and that we can overcome our circumstances, regardless of where we come from. They also grouped us randomly and I ended up meeting some really great people. My group was a bit distant at first, but after our first few activities, we became a family. We learned that not everything is a competition, and how we can get further when we work together.

After getting to know everyone so personally, it became difficult to leave so abruptly. But that was the point of the camp. To build everlasting relationships with people who truly impacted one's life. After exchanging information with my new friends, I went home with a new perspective on my life. I learned that only I control my life, that not everyone is my competition, and that everyone has their own story. The only difference is the way I choose to lead mine.

Article by Jocelyne Soto

Fall Overnight: October 17-18

We went to visit the campuses of Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Texas A&M Kingsville. The best part of the trip was getting to go on a boat to see dolphins.

Prairie View & Houston Zoo: November 14 What I love the most about going on any UB trip are the memories I know I will make throughout the time we have together. The trip to Prairie View and the Houston Zoo will go down in my books as one of my favorites. As a senior, I would like to tell other students how great the school is and that you should take it into consideration when deciding where to go. To be honest, before visiting PV, I didn’t know a ton about it. The tour guide talked to us about all the history of PV and how much PV would work with us side by side through the years. On top of a great experience of learning about PV being historically black college, we had the opportunity to attend the Houston Zoo which I loved because I am a huge sucker for animals. Article by Katrina Trujillo

Fall Potluck: November 21 This was the first Upward Bound Potluck that I have attended. It was a wonderful! I got to invite my mother to one of my first school activities. At the beginning we went to our classes for about thirty minutes each. After class was over my advisors had some delicious Domino’s pizza waiting for all students. My mom brought hot wings that I didn't get to taste. As I walked in the room where the potluck took place, I smiled with joy. It felt so good to be around students, teachers and parents who care about our future. There was a couple of things I really enjoyed. The food was first, it was so much food on the tables it smelled so good! I didn't really like that we had an extra-long line to stand in, but it was worth it. Another thing I liked was the games we got to play. One game was that you had to get two cookies in your mouth from your forehead without touching them. That was the game I won, it was so fun. They took pictures which I know are hideous because I was struggling to get those cookies in my mouth. I also like the part when they were presenting who got into colleges. It was a good feeling to know that people like myself are achieving goals for their future.

Article by Michelle Jackson

Volunteering at the Houston Food Bank: December 12

The field trip to the Houston Food bank and Minute Maid Park was super cool. I really enjoyed helping out at the Food Bank because we made food packages for the elderly. And I felt good knowing that I helped to make the 600+ packages for senior citizens around Houston. After the food bank we all went to Minute Maid Park, I was really excited for that because all my life I’ve lived in Houston and I have never been there. I’ve always passed by the stadium as a kid and I always wondered how it would look inside. The tour was super fun-- we got to check out the whole stadium and even got a chance to go down to the field. I even learned some stuff about the stadium and our home team, The Astros. I was so glad that I got the opportunity to go to this trip with Upward Bound because I learned so much in only one day. Article by Isaac Patino

A Christmas Story at the Hobby: December 16

Upward Bound had our night on the town. Dressed to the nines, we enjoyed a meal at Spaghetti Warehouse. Tucked inside a repurposed cart, we at bowls of pasta and became a bonafide Italian family. Once we dined and laughed, we made our way to the theatre district. The grandeur of “A Christmas Story’s” Production matched that of the Theatre Under the Stars. The lobby alone had its own magic, decorated with a Christmas tree and sparkling with lights. Then came time for the show. The production was fun for all ages. The musical centered on a boy named Ralphie and his struggle to get the best Christmas present while simultaneously counting down to Christmas Day. Overall, a broken leg lamp, a near eye injury, a hideous pink bunny costume, and a consolation duck made for quite “A Christmas Story.” The musical’s warm sentiment was felt by the story’s characters and audience alike –the importance of the holidays is the stories we make with friends and family. Article by Natalia Nila

UPWARD BOUND IN ACTION

Take pictures during our events and post to the LSC_UB Instagram page using #TRiOWorks #LSCUB

Upcoming Events

 January 9— January College Prep

 January 16 —Sam Houston State Visit

 February 6 —February College Prep

 February 13-14—Spring Overnight Trip

 February 20 —Money Matters/Parent Day Contact Us 281-227-9620 or 281-821-4687 (MaNi)  March 5 — March College Prep 281-878-1557 or 281-878-0601 (ACE) 281-765-7914 Courtney Tigney, Program Manager  March 12 —Volunteer Event