NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON UPWARD BOUND The UB Scholar’s Digest PROGRAM

UB MISSION

Our mission is to NOVEMBER 2011 provide the skills and motivation for low- Director’s Notes... income and first gen- eration youth to be Greetings! Almost every week I hear the school board. successful in high I had the privilege of intro- inspiring news from alumni I am fired up as we head ducing Lindsey Wilson „09 who are pursuing their col- school and to be able into the most challenging at the Edu- lege and career dreams and grant competition ever. We to enter and succeed cational Opportunity who can trace their success hope to secure the next five Award Luncheon on Octo- back to their time at UB. in college. years of funding to con- ber 18th. She was one of We are particularly excited tinue serving our current five recipients of a scholar- to welcome Adriana Lara students while hopefully INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ship. Lindsey is thriving at „07 as our AmeriCorps adding more students. Brandeis University where member this year. Her Keep letting your elected she is a junior studying long history with UB as a Director’s Notes 1 officials know how UB and psychology and women student, summer office TRIO programs change Alumni Making Difference 1 and gender studies. manager and TC make her lives so they will fight to a fantastic addition to our preserve Staff Spotlight 2 Lindsey‟s story and pres- team. and in- Oh the Places You’ll Go 3 ence made a powerful im- crease pression on the profession- We are also extremely ex- Senior Spotlight 3 these als who were there to cele- cited to hear that Alex pro- Senior Spotlight Cont’d 4 brate TRIO students who Morse „07 is the new grams. accomplish so much in mayor of Holyoke and Josh Summer Collage 5 spite of daunting obstacles. Garcia‟04 was elected to Life at NMH 6

Student Spotlight 6

Upward Bound Alumni Making a Difference Food Justice Theme 7

Alumni Class Notes 8 The recent election in Holy- ated in 2008. He is cur- Alex is determined UB Staff and Friends 9 oke placed two UB rently pursuing a to make Holyoke the alumni in important Masters in Public best place it can be. leadership roles in Administration at Morse, 22, takes their community. Westfield. office in January. Josh Garcia ‟04 has Alex Morse ‟07 won He told CBS news been elected into the mayor‟s seat "I think of my age as the Ward 1 School with 53% of the an incredible asset, Board. He won vote. Morse graduated in that I haven't been around 71% of the vote. from Holyoke High in for 20 (or) 30 years. I'm not Garcia graduated 2007 and Brown Uni- beholden to special interests. I from Holyoke High in 2004 versity last spring. With a haven't been around long and went on to study psychol- focus on education, economic enough to owe anybody a ogy at Westfield State Uni- development, public safety, political favor" Good luck to versity, from which he gradu- and creating Holyoke pride, both of you! P A G E 2 New Faces at Upward Bound: Staff Spotlight

Jenny Gross What is your favorite part about Hometown - Northampton, MA but I UB? I love being part of the process lived in Jackson Hole Wyoming for that helps local students get into col- 20 years! lege and move upward on their life's Current town - Wendell, MA. path. Position: Office Manager If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? I always What did you do before UB? I thought it was Tahiti but recently I worked at a residential school for at- realized it is probably the Scandina- risk youth. My job title was Quality vian countries. I'd love to see Norway Assurance Coordinator and that is the and Sweden. job that helped me realize I like work- Favorite TV show right now? The ing with young people and seeing Office! It makes me laugh out loud them prosper in their lives. which is my favorite thing to do.

Jenny Gross

Adriana Lara What is your favorite part about UB? The dedi- cated staff and students. Everyone is always work- Hometown: Greenfield, MA ing hard to reach their goals. Current Town: Shelburne Falls, MA If you could travel anywhere in the world where Position: AmeriCorps Member would you go? I‟ve been fortunate enough to go to the Nether- What keeps bringing you back to UB? I have lands, England, Morocco, and Croatia. I think I been a UB scholar, office manager, and a tutor would go to Scotland to try and find the Loch Ness counselor. It seems the natural progression for me Monster. was to be the AmeriCorps member. UB has given Favorite TV show right now? I love TV more me a place to call home. I have always felt wel- than most people. Comedies, dramas, dramedies, I come and supported by UB staff and students. This love it all. How I Met Your Mother is always at the is what keeps me coming back. top of my favorites list. It is hilarious and has a lot Adriana Lara of heart.

We are family — All my AmeriCorps members and me!! (From left to right: Adam Roberts, Breyana Roman, Rachel Evenson, and Adriana Lara. MIA members: Dorinda Bell-Upp and Drew Hammill.)

THE UB SCHOLAR’S DIG EST P A G E 3 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Seniors are applying to: Dowling College Providence College Drexel University Rochester Institute of Technology Duke University Roger Williams University Alfred University Elms College Saint Anselm College American International College Emerson College Salem State College American University Emmanuel College Sarah Lawrence College Anna Maria College Fairfield University Skidmore College Assumption College Fitchburg State College Smith College Bard College Fordham Springfield College Bates College Framingham State College Springfield Technical Community College Bay Path College Franklin and Marshall College Stonehill College Bennington College George Washington University Temple University Bentley University Greenfield Community College UMASS Amherst Boston College Hamilton College UMASS Dartmouth Boston University Hampshire College UMASS Lowell Bowdoin College Union College Brandeis University Holyoke Community College University of New England Brandeis University Lesley University University of Vermont Bridgewater State College Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Wesleyan University Champlain College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Westfield State University Chapman University Middlebury College Wheaton College Clark University Mount Holyoke College Worcester State College Colby College Muhlenberg College Yale University Colgate University New England College College of the Holy Cross Northeastern University Colorado College Oberlin College Connecticut College Oral Roberts University Denison University Senior Spotlight: Highlighting Outstanding UB Seniors

Radame Jusino What colleges are you apply- What has been the most diffi- Advice for the rising ing to? cult part? seniors next year? Fitchburg State, UMass Dart- Focus on your school Filling out the Common Appli- mouth, Framingham State, work and don‟t slack Westfield State, Springfield cation. off. College, and more. What about college are you most looking forward to? Favorite UB snack What has been the most excit- Meeting new people and mov- over the years? ing part about the college ing on to a new environment No preference. process? with different things. The most exciting part is look-

ing up the colleges that I want to apply to and seeing what kind of colleges there are avail- able for me. P A G E 4 Turners Falls High School

Alicia Hathaway is, what there is to do, and all that Advice for the rising sen- What colleges are you apply- stuff. iors next year? ing to? What has been the most difficult My advice for rising sen- Westfield State, UMass Dart- part? iors is to not slack off with The most difficult part so far is just mouth, American International your classes junior and filling out all the applications. I College, Anna Maria College, senior years. Stick with started filling out online applica- them even if you don‟t University of New England, tions but they started to aggravate want to do the work to UMass Lowell, Salem State, me so now I‟m doing all paper ones. push through it. You don‟t Springfield Technical Commu- want your GPA to drop nity College, Elms, Fitchburg What about college are you most because you got lazy. State, Worcester State. looking forward to? The part of college that I am most Favorite UB snack over What has been the most ex- looking forward to is living on cam- the years? citing part about the college pus and meeting a ton of new peo- My favorite UB snack has process? ple. I am really nervous for this part to be the fruit stick things The most exciting part about as well but I think that it is going to we use to get. We don‟t the college process is going to be a really great experience for me. really get them anymore visit all of the schools to see but we definitely should! how big they are, what the dorms look like, how the food

Springfield High School of Science and Technology

Noemi Collazo What has been the most dif- Favorite UB snack over What colleges are you apply- ficult part? the years? ing to? Writing all the supplement Pirate‟s Booty. Smith College, UMass Am- work. herst, Skidmore College, Franklin & Marshall College, What about college are you Union College, Connecticut most looking forward to? College, Fitchburg State, The college life; the social Hampshire College, Clark Uni- events, the classes I‟m going to versity, and Denison Univer- take, and the great people I sity. may meet along the way.

What has been the most ex- Advice for the rising seniors citing part about the college next year? process? When picking out colleges Actually being able to go to really find a concrete reason the campus and get a taste of why you‟d like to go there and what that college environment DON’T PROCRASTINATE! is like. (It will always come to get you!)

THE UB SCHOLAR’S DIG EST P A G E 5

UB Summer 2011 P A G E 6 Life at Northfield Mount Hermon: Katherine Casado– Berg

What is your favorite involved in taking my first Have you been able to use manage my time accord- part about NMH so far? ballet course. I‟m working on any of the skills/advice ingly. My favorite part of NMH getting more involved with all from UB at NMH? Anything else you want at this point would be the that NMH has to offer. Yes! UB has helped me to add? people. The students, fac- What has been difficult in greatly in my transition to Overall I am beyond ulty and teachers are very this transition? NMH. I was accustomed to grateful for this amazing welcoming and make my The transition to NMH has the campus thanks to the opportunity that I was stay here worth it. The con- been very smooth and I am time spent here during the given to attend here. nections I‟m making with pleased with my decision to summer. I was familiar with This school is great and the members of the NMH attend. The hardest thing to the study hall routine, cur- has so much to offer it‟s community are ones that cope with in my transition here fews, dorm life and study overwhelming at times. I makes my experience here is balancing my time on the skills that come in handy all would definitely recom- something to remember. weekends. The weekend is the the time. I rarely get to any mend others to apply What activities are you best time to make bonds with commitment late because I and hopefully have the involved in? peers here at school but it is follow the rule “early is on chance to attend here in Katherine Casado-Berg was I am currently involved in also my time to go home to my time, on time is late and late the future. accepted to NMH for the Fall concert choir and Circle of family. Sometimes it becomes is unacceptable”. This has of 2011 as an incoming jun- Sisters. Soon I will also be difficult to balance friends and helped me tremendously ior. Read what she has to say family. because I learned how to about her transition and how UB has helped her along the way. Student Spotlight: Herter Recipient

UB scholar, Nidhi Malik, received the Chris- tian A. Herter Scholarship last spring. The Nidhi and her mother were invited to an Award Cere- scholarship is awarded to students who demon- mony at the State House in Boston. She was given a strate academic promise and plan on receiving tour by State Representative Stan Rosenberg. a post-secondary education. Started in 1972, this scholarship was created to help students whose socio-economic backgrounds and envi- ronmental conditions may inhibit their ability to attain their educational goals.

After being nominated and going through a rigorous interview process only twenty-five students in Massachusetts each year are se- lected to receive this award, which can fund up to 50% of a student‟s calculated financial need at the college of their choice. Students selected have academic promise and have also over- This scholarship has been very helpful for affording come major adversity in their lives. school for former UB alumni. Adriana Lara, Lindsey Wilson, Tiffany Jenkins, and many other alumni have received the Herter Scholarship in the past. We hope to see many more students share in this great opportu- nity in the future.

Congratulations Nidhi!

THE UB SCHOLAR’S DIG EST P A G E 7 Did the Food Justice Theme Make an Impact? Our program focused its social justice theme on food justice this year. Students learned where their food comes from, what is in it, and the effect it can have on our bodies and the environment. They read books, watched movies, attended a conference, started a blog, and some were even able to grow their own food in the UB garden. Once the summer was over, the program theme ended, but we are excited to see how students have continued educating them- selves and the ways they have made changes in their lives as a result of their experiences. See what students had to say about their experiences and what they learned:

“ I learned the way people are deprived and the struggles “Our food is at stake. We need to clean up the way we some must endure to survive.” grow food.”

“I went to the workshops for the social justice conference, “Learning more about Food Justice got me thinking more read The Omnivores Dilemma and discussed it, I was a leader about the fact that we as humans can sometimes be very at the Hunger Banquet, I was the designer for the "UB Eating selfish by wanting everything for ourselves. That got me What" blog, and I watched Supersize Me with UB on Sunday thinking about how our food is really divided up into the nights” different social classes.”

“EVERYTHING is made of CORN! most food companies are “I didn't really think there was such a big process that had corrupt. we really have to start taking notice on how and what to take place for the food on our plates.” we eat.” “I'm thinking of abolishing meat from my diet more than I “I helped plant, weed, and harvest plants. It was amazing!” already have and I don't eat so unhealthy anymore.”

“I learned that we should really learn about what we eat and “I did not eat meat during the summer and will not in the that by getting our food locally there are many benefits such future. Also, in college I want to pursue this in conjunction as more money that goes to local farmers and healthier food.” with environmental studies.”

“I went raspberry picking during the summer.” “I became a vegetarian”

“I learned what Food Justice really means, which is the un- “I have been trying to eat more organic food or foods with fairness in the division of the food in the world. I also learned less hormones.” different ways of organizing protest without any violence.” “My vegan math teacher and I often discuss it.”

“It made me realize that the world of food needs a revolu- “In my science class we were talking about how animals tion.” were being treated in the world and I talked about how animals were being modified to be all the same way and form.”

67.9% of UB students surveyed said that the Food Justice theme inspired them to change something they do in their life. P A G E 8 Class Notes from UB Alumni

Gordon Burnett, NMH 2008, man Development in Hartford, Holy Cross, TC ’09-‘11 CT as a community support I've entered my senior year at specialist. I work with the Resi- Holy Cross and I'm finishing up dential Support Program which my classes in chemistry and educa- provides assistance to clients tion. I want to thank all of my stu- with diagnosed mental health dents from this summer for giving disabilities but live on their own me a great teaching experience as in the community. I assist these the things I learned this summer clients with advocacy, adult are helping me transition into my daily living skills, and transpor- role of a student teacher. And I tation, just to name a few. I par- want to say thank you to the un- ticipate in WRAP or Wellness named students who told Recovery Action Planning their advisers that my class helped Jiomarys Alers, Sci-Tech 2003 groups which empower people them. It helped give me the kick I I am now 26 yrs old. I am living to create a plan that will lead Wil Perez, NMH 2004, Brown need for my first time teaching a in Bridgeport, CT. I will have them towards recovery from a University, TC 2005 class in a public school solo! been happily married for about job, an illness, work, and most

three yrs on Dec 13th. No kids, of all, life. I am also involved in I'm in the middle of my Juan Avendano, Holyoke High just a mixed Chihuahua. I am Pathways, a program which thirdyear clerkships in medi- 2001, UMass Amherst 2005 currently a social worker/parent focuses more on the paths we cal school. The hospital I worked for Merck Pharmaceuti- educator at Family & Children's create throughout our recovery. hours are brutal and sleep cals from 2005-2011 as a process Agency in Norwalk, CT. I am a I really enjoy my job and the has become a precious rar- engineer. This fall, I started to pur- professional makeup artist & duties it entails, my co-workers, ity.I'll be applying for resi- sue an MBA at the New York Uni- skin consultant and you can view and most of all the clients. They dency in the next 8 months. versity Stern School of Business. I and "like" my beauty page on FB really make the job great! I'm looking to find a pro- plan to specialize in Financial In- at Inner Reflections. gram that would allow me to struments & Markets and Strat- Joshua Garcia, Holyoke, 2004 pursue my passion for inter- egy. I am pursuing an MBA to Justin Medina, Holyoke High Westfield State University, national medicine and more transition into a career in asset 2009, Bridgewater State Col- 2008 specifically health care de- management. I now live in New lege Joshua was recently elected to velopment and advocacy in York City. I got engaged last De- Justin is a junior at Bridgewater the Holyoke school board. the developing world.I 'm cember and will be getting married State University and he is focus- continuing with my work in next summer. ing on social work. Renee James, Sci-Tech 2004, Haiti with less frequent vis- Bowdoin College, 2008 its and serving more as a Caitlin Anable, Holyoke High Chris Medina, Holyoke 2006, I'm currently working at Yale's public health liaison and 2011, Bay Path College Westfield State University School of Medicine. I'm doing consultant with several non- I am attending Bay Path College. I 2011 research in the Cardiology de- profits who have adopted am in a five year Masters program Chris recently graduated from partment. I've been working my model of training young for occupational therapy. I am in- college and is doing a year of here for just over two years and adults to become commu- volved in Tactical and Swim Club. AmeriCorps Vista in a partner- beginning to look towards my nity health workers in the My advice to students is to apply ship with Providence Ministries next steps. I found out my rural parts of Haiti. UB will to as many scholarships as you can. and Holyoke Community Col- cousin Ellanje Ferguson is actu- always hold a place in my I would also like to add, once you lege. ally attending your program! I heart. Please let me know if get into college, be prepared to would love to be kept up on I can ever be of any help in Amy Bernardo, Holyoke High study more than in high school. what is happening in regards to any way. 2007, Mitchell College 2011 the program‟s continuation and I recently graduated from Jeannie Narvaez, Holyoke High the proposed cuts. Mitchell College Magna Cum 2005, UMass Amherst 2010 Laude with a BA in Criminal Things are good! I can't complain. Justice with a concentration in My daughter is now in kindergar- Programs and Treatment. I am ten and I am considering going now employed at Center for Hu- back to school next year for my Master's Degree.

THE UB SCHOLAR’S DIG EST P A G E 9 Former UB Staff and Friends

Adam Kosakowski, TC/Assistant Summer Moukalled, TC 2010 Ami Jackson, Former Dorm Head ’08-‘11 I am in my last year at UMass Amherst Springfield Advisor What's exciting lately in my life is that I woohoo!! I graduate in May with two degrees: A Bachelor of Science in Kinesi- have finally found a way to serve stu- I actually have decided to ology and a Bachelor of Art in Civic En- dents similar to UB students during the become a student again, school year full time! I am an Ameri- gagement and Youth Development. I am and almost forgot how Corp member, much like Rachel last year currently working as the head lab assistant except I serve in a different location than in the pediatric physical activity lab. great it was learning her- I am serving at Amherst High We're in the process of implementing a again. I hope to receive a School. There I am running a special study that is testing to see if structured MPA as soon as possible. I study hall called the Academic Achieve- physical activity in preschool classrooms am still a defense investi- ment Center. There during the school will increase the amount of energy expen- gator, but I have been day I tutor students and help them under- diture in preschoolers. Next year, I am transferred closer to home. stand their homework, study, and think taking a little time off to save up enough I am no longer staring about college in their future. money for a year's worth of traveling to down The PIKE for 10 South America and Lebanon. Then hope- hours a week. My little son fully off to medical school after that. has finally received his first

hair cut, I miss his hair al- Adam Roberts (Summer Staff '06-'11, Americorps Member '07-'08) is happy ready. My schedule has to announce that he is the new director of been crazy and I miss you the South Hadley Youth Commission! He guys so much. I wish I is excited to be back more permanently in could have visited this the UB neck of the woods (just over the summer. I hope to see you river from Holyoke! in South Hadley guys soon. Falls), and hopes to show up at tutoring sometimes. If you have ideas for youth- led initiatives or actions, hit him up at [email protected].

Haley MacKeen, TC 2011 Unfortunately my life has become sig- nificantly less exciting since we finished up this summer! For August I just trav- elled around Nova Scotia and now I'm currently a senior at Middlebury College in VT. I'm still majoring in Biochemis- try and minoring in Sociology. I'm also working with a freshman class for the fall as a first year mentor and writing tutor. I love meeting and working with the new freshmen but it definitely makes me miss the UB students!

THE UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM (UB) at Northfield Mount School (NMH) is a federally funded initiative designed to provide low- income students with the skills and motivation needed to succeed in high school and college. UB Scholars come from public high schools in Western Massachusetts and they are they usually the first in their family to strive to go to college. Our Scholars receive tutoring, advising, enrichment, a NMH Upward Bound Program rigorous, six-week summer program and intensive assistance with the One Lamplighter Way college and financial aid application process throughout their high Mount Hermon, MA 01354 school years. In addition to Department of Education funding Phone: 413-498-3416 ($334,788), UB also receives funding from the Community Founda- Fax: 413-498-3415 tion of Western Massachusetts, the Edwin Webster Foundation and www.nmhschool.org/upwardbound generous in-kind support from NMH which has hosted the program www.upwardbound.nmhblogs. org for nearly 45 years.

Striving for the future, each and every day! UB Summer Academy 2011