Hard Work Pays Off ! 38th Annual Achievement and Closing Ceremony

Sunday April 27, 2014 6:00 PM Stern Center Ballroom 71 George Street Charleston SC 29424

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary” - Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame Football Coach

The Upward Bound Program, sponsored by the College of Charleston since 1975, is a college preparatory program designed to generate in its participants the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school. Upward Bound provides special academic and cultural opportunities to students who have expressed an interest in pursuing a post-secondary education and who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in post-secondary education. ______Upward Bound students learn how to challenge themselves to better than they think they can, to set goals they can achieve and how to go after them so that they aren’t satisfied with “just good enough.” Upward Bounders learn how to use their resources to recognize and make the most of opportunities so that the work they put in pays off and they can grow from each experience.

Congratulations, graduates. Be proud. This is just the Beginning.

Our Keynote Speaker

Selena Blair is currently the Director of Opportunity Network, a TRIO Student Support Services Program, at the University of Upstate. After graduating Valedictorian of Kingstree Senior High School, Selena went on to obtain her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Limestone College and Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University.

From her humble beginnings as an administrative assistant at a community college, Selena’s passion for assisting low-income, first generation college students, students with disabilities, and working adults has always been prevalent. She is a true believer in the saying, “With hard work and determination, anything is possible.” For the past decade, she has garnered the respect of her peers by working to remove barriers faced by individuals like herself and has made numerous trips to Capitol Hill to advocate for increased funding and policy revisions to better serve disadvantaged students.

In addition to being a wife and mother of three daughters – ages 16, 14, and 5, Mrs. Blair serves in various capacities on the state, regional, and national levels of the TRIO community, at New Hope Christian Church and within the Spartanburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

She is in the process of working to publish her first book and establishing a non-profit organization aimed at assisting adolescent girls with recognizing their potential and becoming the best they can be while embracing her personal mantra, “Failure is not an option.” 2013-2014 Upward Bound Participants

Nigeria Alston Tamija Hampton Eryn Smalls Kenya Bracey Nicholas Hannah Jalai Smalls Antonio Brown Zoey Henderson Alexsys Smith Daquan Brown Miracle Hutchinson Valaiyya Smith-Rivers Destiny Brown Tabrieal Jones Briana Stroud Diaje Brown Adaijha Kwot Egypt Stroud Khyla Brown Elkanah Ladia Terrance Taylor Christopher Burch Pablo Leyva Paul Thieman Michael Burns London Mack Terrence Thurman Sasha Castro Eldrick McLean Desmond Triplett Kevius Coaxum Richard McNeil Destiny Triplett LeDejah Coaxum Ashley Miller Leah Turner Adrienne J. Daniel Chelsea Moultrie Quy-Asia Walker James Daniel, Jr. Deja Patten Miracle Washington Jarrell Davis Christian Phillips Taylor Watts Kyro Davis Tiffany Phillips Tyla Watts Natrese Dorsey Anitra Pierce Jasmine White Peyton Edwards Raquel Pringle Jonah White Bria Ford Kendall Prioleau Kierra White Rosellar “RJ” Garcia Jr. Taylor Prioleau Baridapdoo Wiwuga Jordan Geddis Ta’Myiah Reed Margaret Wiwuga Kayla Glover Shawna Ross NekaBari Wiwuga T’Zhean Godfrey Allen Rouse Shaniyah Wrighton Brittany Grant Ala Saadeh Kimberlin Green Jazmine Scott T’Kya Green Richard Simmons

Kenya Bracey, Burke High School. Kenya is the Valedictorian at Burke and will be attending Clemson University to pursue a degree in Accounting. She has participated in Skills USA, Guidance Advisory Board, Church Praise And Worship Team, Teacher Cadet, and Pal- metto Girls State. She is the recipient of Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship and Clemson Scholars Award.

Antonio Brown, North Charleston High School

Khyla Brown, West Ashley High School: Khyla will be attending South Carolina State University . She is on the track team, plans to major Fashion Design and loves photography.

Christopher Burch, St. Johns High School: Christopher is the Valedictorian at St. Johns and will be attending Clemson University to pursue a degree in Design Engineering. He has been involved in Communities in Schools, Mayors Youth Commission, School Improvement Council, and Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club. He has been an Exchange Club Student of the Month AND Student of the Year, and is receiving scholarship awards from The Daughters of St. Andrews Chapter of Order of Eastern Stars as well as Clemson University.

Adrienne Juliette Daniel, West Ashley High School. Juliette will be attending College of Charleston to pursue a degree in Chemistry. She has been involved in Interact Club, Student Council, Prom Committee, Robotics Club, Varsity , Varsity , Delta Gems, and of course Upward Bound. She will be receiving the South Carolina Life Scholarship.

Jarrell Davis, Burke High School. Jarrell will be attending Charleston Southern University to pursue a major in Mass Communication with a minor in Digital Arts and Design. He intends to have career in journalism, film writing, and movie animation. He has participated in and numerous Male Empowerment summits and conferences. Jarrell is the recipient of the “Young Man in the Gap” award from Church of Christ and is the lead writer of Updates for Ashley City. He won 1st place in the regional Charting the Course for Next Century poetry contest.

Kyro Davis, West Ashley High School. Kyro will be attending Francis Marion University pursue a degree in Nursing and her goal is to become a trauma nurse. She has participated in ROTC, SADD Club and Science Club.

Peyton Edwards, West Ashley High School . Peyton will be attending Claflin University to pursue a degree in Nursing. She has been involved in Band and Student Council; she also has participated in MUSC volunteer program for two summers and the MUSC and the MUSC pre-nursing program.

Jordan Geddis, St. Johns High School. Jordan will be attending Claflin University to pursue a degree in Mass Communications. His plan is to become a sports broadcaster. He plays basketball, soccer, and football. He has participated in Teen Health Leadership and Wise Guys Club. Jordan is the recipient of Church of our Savior scholarship and Haut Gap Class of 1970 scholarship.

T’kya Green, Goose Creek High School: T’Kya will be attending Claflin University to pursue a degree and career in Broadcast Journalism. She has participated in Spanish Club, Teacher Cadet, BCA Voice and the Sound and Media Team.

Miracle Hutchinson, Goose Creek High School: Miracle will be attending Lander University to earn her degree in Chemical Engineering. She has been involved in JROTC, soccer, Teen Lead, Youth Court, Chess Club, Spanish Club and Track and Field.

Tabrieal Jones, Goose Creek High School: Tabrieal will be joining the Army and will also pursue a degree in Medicine or Pharmacy; her ultimate goal is to become a pharmacist. She has been the manager of the football team, was in Student Council, Praise Dance and was a mentor at Sedgefield Middle School.

Anitra Pierce, West Ashley High School. Anitra has participated in track and field and will be attending Coastal Carolina University. She plans to become a Physical Therapist.

Richard Simmons, West Ashley High School: Richard is planning on enlisting and taking classes in the Air Force; he plans on focusing on Business and Technology and intends on being an Airplane Mechanic.

Jalai Smalls, West Ashley High School : Jalai will be attending Greenville Technical College to pursue a degree in Biology and ultimately become a Physician’s Assistant. She has participated in ROTC, and Band.

Briana Stroud, Ashley Ridge High School (originally Burke): Briana will be attending Johnson and Wales Uni- versity in Charlotte, NC to pursue her degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and Food Service Management. Her goal is to become a pasty chef. She has been inducted into Na- tional Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She is an Honor Graduate as well as being a National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador.

Miracle Washington, North Charleston High School : Miracle will be attending Trident Technical College to pursue a degree in Biology . She has held various after school jobs, volunteers in different capacities and enjoys learning the culinary arts. She has also partici- pated in the Teach the Need Program and been on A/B Honor Roll. She was named “Most likely to stress over grades.”

Jasmine Monet White, West Ashley High School: Jasmine’s goal is to go into the US military and is still considering her post-secondary education path to support that goal. She enjoys volunteering with kids and has participated in JROTC.

Margaret Wiwuga, Fort Dorchester High School (originally Burke, then North Charleston High): Margaret will be attending the University of Virginia. She is within the top 5% of her class of 422 students and was originally valedictorian at the previous two schools she attended. Her goal is ultimately to pursue a degree and a career in medicine. She has performed community service with the Tri-County Ministry, participated in the District Health Advisory Board, tutored band students, was Student Council President while at North Charleston, participated in Teach the Need program and took part in PRISM, Claflin University’s science and math summer program. She has been awarded the National Merit Scholarship.

PROGRAM The 2014 Awards and Closing Ceremony “Hard Work Pays Off”

Processional______The Upward Bound Class of 2014 Narration by Olivia Burch/Vanessa Geddis

PAB Welcome ______Lisa McLean

Presiding/Mistress of Ceremony______NeCole Davis

Invocation______Sylvia Watts

Greetings from C of C______Ms. Susan Payment Director of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs

The Upward Bound Experience and Reflections______Margaret Wiwuga

Introduction of Keynote Speaker______Lisa McLean

Keynote Address______Selena Blair

Special Awards______Mrs. Ashley Robinson

Closing Remarks/Special Presentation______Mr. Talim Lessane, Director College of Charleston Upward Bound Conclusion and Dining

Music Provided by James vickers Upward Bound Highlights: Summer 2013- Spring 2014

College Tours: It is part of the Upward Bound mission to ensure that students are exposed to a variety of colleges and universities that allow and inspire them to select an institution of higher learning that best fits their academic, developmental and career-related needs. Campus visits included:

 Summer 2013: ATLANTA, GA. University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, Spellman College, Morehouse College, Kennesaw State University

 Fall 2013: USC Beaufort, Atlanta Fall Classic College Fair and Football Game.

 Spring 2014: Coastal Carolina University, Francis Marion University

133h Annual Parent Conference/November 17, 2013: “Parenting is Leadership” as a theme was highlighted by a number of dynamic speakers, beginning with Mr. Clifford Fulmore, a Charleston native and C of C alum who currently serves as SC PTA president. Workshops included:  What Type of Parent Leader Are You - Helping parents/caregivers understand their role and responsibili- ties as a parent leader and get a clear idea of how to use this awareness on a daily basis.

 Home-School Connection - How can parents support, collaborate and build better relationships with guid- ance counselors and other school administrators to assist with meeting learning outcomes and student suc- cess?

 Being a supportive parent without being a “BFF” - How to give children what they need while still maintaining healthy parent-child boundaries and clearly defined roles that help students learn how to function with structure and respect authority 14th Annual Emerging Youth Leaders Conference:, March 29, 2014:

“Better Me = Brighter Tomorrow” was held in the C of C School of Business/Tate Center, with Nina O. Davis serving as keynote speaker. The event was co-sponsored by Trident Technical College’s Upward Bound Math and Science Program and was attended by their students as well as several from CCSD’s GEAR UP program. Workshops included:  Psycho-Social Factors of College Success—”Journey To Graduation”  The Complicated Social Lives of Networked Teens  A Personal Brand Called ...You!  Diversity and Social Identity: It’s not Just about Color

Parent Advisory Board Executive Officers President Ms. Lisa McLean Vice President Ms. NeCole Davis Treasurer Ms. Martha Green

Secretary Ms. Sylvia Watts Special Thanks/Friends of the Program Mandi Bryson, Student Life Copy Center LaToya Harris, Residence Life and Housing Carlette Seabrook, Physical Plant Kristen Hua, Registrar’s Office Dept. of Public Safety Julie Ohlandt Renkas and Susan Anderson-Rivaleau, Office of Research and Grants Administration

Monique Owens, Controller’s Office

Damon Hilton, Institutional Advancement DJ Simpson, Financial Aid Michelle Julien, Dining Services

Jacqueline Chisolm, Human Resources

Montrez Greene, Residence Life and Housing

Carrie Ben-Yisrael, McNair Scholars and Access Programs

Debbie Counts and Kenyatta Grimmage, Admissions

Courtney Pittman and Breighone’ Brown, Student Workers Extraordinaire

AJ Hall, Counselor and Program Volunteer

Susan Payment and Dr. Jeri Cabot, Division of Student Affairs

...And countless others ~ We couldn’t do it without you!

UPWARD BOUND PLEDGE

I AM A COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT AT ALL TIMES AND I WILL FUNCTION ACCORDINGLY.

I PLEDGE TO MAKE THE MOST OF MY INNATE ABILITIES AND TO MAXIMIZE MY POTENTIAL.

IT IS MY JOB TO SHOW MY PARENTS, TEACHERS, MY COMMUNITY AND MYSELF WHAT I AM TRULY CAPABLE OF.

THIS IS WHY I’M AN UPWARD BOUNDER. Upward Bound Alumni Data Research Form And Membership Application

Name______Prefix First Middle (Maiden Name) Last

Address: ______Street Address

______City State Zip

Telephone: ______E-Mail: ______

Years at CofC-UB: From ______to ______Year Graduated: ______

High School Attended: ______College Attended: ______

Degree(s): ______Year Earned: ______Major: ______

Biographical Update (current employment, accomplishments, awards, etc.) : ______

Alumni Referral (Former C of C Upward Bounders you think we should contact): Name fdafdfdafaffddfasdfafafafPhone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxE-Mail ______

______YES, I will serve on a planning committee to help continue to reach and organize local C of C-UB Alumni

Please Contact Mr. Talim Lessane at 843.953.6555 (Director)/[email protected] or Muhammad Rasheed at 843.953.5469 (Office Manager)/[email protected] Fax: 843.953.4902

“Notes & Quotes” “Providing the Tools to Build Academic and Social Success in High School, College and Beyond”

The College of Charleston 66 George Street Charleston, SC 29424 Phone: 843.953.5469 Fax: 843.953.4902

http://upwardbound.cofc.edu

Twitter: UBatCofC

Facebook: search for Upward Bound, Charleston SC - with the above current logo

The Upward Bound Staff Mr. Talim Lessane, Director Mrs. Ashley Robinson, Academic Coordinator Mr. Muhammad Rasheed, Office Manager

LIVE. LEARN. GROW. Dr. Jeri Cabot, Interim Associate Vice President

This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.