The Edge: A Publication of Upward Bound UPWARD BOUND Class of 2017 Edition! Congratulations to the Aldine Education Foundation Scholarship Recipients - Gilbert, Steven, William, Gabby, Adrian, Alma, Isaac, Rene, and Laura 1 Staff Farewell Notes Dear Graduating Seniors, It seems like only yesterday that I walked into a brightly lit classroom at Lone Star College to encounter a room filled with anxious juniors. You all have come such a long way together since then and you are now graduates, ready to break records and make your way in the world! It seems unreal. I would like to start by congratulating you all on your graduation. You have all worked hard, and watching you develop and grow into confident and intelligent young adults has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. Your willingness to learn to take chances and grow has made you all much stronger. My hope for each of you will be to continue to be successful in all your future endeavors. When I think of our time together, many great moments spring to mind. Thank you all in advance for the everlasting memories. I also want to congratulate each of you on the hard work you put into your academics, sports, Saturday College preps and extra-curricular school activities. I know it was a lot. Know that I am proud to have met such a generous group of individuals with a passion for community service and helping others. My hope is that you all will continue to contribute and inspire wherever you go. Remember, your UB family is always here to assist you and we look forward to hearing about your future achievements. Congratulations Graduates of 2017 and may you remain blessed in the days, weeks, months and years to come! -Mr. Carter Dear Class of 2017, You’re graduating! Congratulations! All of your hard work and struggles have come to fruition, and in this moment we celebrate you and your accomplishments. More than that—your journey is not ending, but just beginning. Finally, you are graduating into the world of college—an amazing world where you have the freedom to find yourselves and grow into the wonderful people that I have no doubt you will become. Although this new chapter may seem intimidating, trust in yourself and your ability to succeed. Thank you all so much for allowing me to have a part in your lives over the past two years. Getting to know you and watching you grow has filled my heart with joy, and I absolutely cannot wait to see all that you do with your lives. Even though some of you may be moving far –or not quite so far—away, please don’t let that distance keep us from hearing about your life. Call anytime to share your successful (or not- so-successful) moments, and know that you are each so valuable to us. Congratulations again! We are so proud of you all! - Ms. Judd 2 Dear Class of 2017, I would like to “Thank you” for allowing me to be here for you! I am glad I was granted the opportunity to be your college prep advisor in the most important stage of your lives. Remember how hard you’ve worked and how far you will continue to go. I am beyond excited to see you grow older “Young Adults”! Please be open and welcome great opportunities that have yet to come, college will prepare you “enough”! We’ve shared many memories and many heart to heart moments that it will be hard to let go. However, no matter how far you will go, always remember that your UB Family loves you! “Goodbyes are not forever, Goodbyes are not the end, They simply mean I’ll miss you, Until we meet again.” Best wishes, Ms. Ana Gonzalez Class of 2017!!!!! Congratulations on graduating! It has been such a pleasure working with you all. I have enjoyed getting to know you all and learning about your future aspirations. I would like to thank you for giving me the chance to help you pursue your college dreams. Make sure to follow your hearts in everything you do and remember the staff at UB are ALWAYS going to be here for you. Keep in touch! Sincerely, Ms. Victoria Gonzalez Dear Upward Bound Class of 2017, Congratulations! I am so proud of you for all that you have accomplished and I cannot wait to see what incredible things you all will do in the future. I have truly enjoyed getting to know you over the past few years. I have many great memories from Upward Bound because of you all and the adventures that we have had with UB. Like many students, I think one of my all-time favorite UB memories was white water rafting in beautiful Colorado last summer. A few words of advice as you continue on to the next step of the journey—fully embrace this season of your life. These college years will be memorable, fun, and at the same time challenging. Be open to meeting new people, trying new things, and joining an organization on campus. No matter where life takes you, please remember that I am only a phone call or office visit away if you ever need anything! Please also let me know when you graduate from college so that we can celebrate. - Ms. Tigney 3 Dear Graduating Seniors, There is so much excitement in the air with graduation behind you and a new stage of your life ahead of you. I am so proud of each and every one of you who worked so hard to successfully complete your high school education. Now on to the important part of your new life, COLLEGE! Your college experience will be a new experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Your college career and completion is one of the most important accomplishments that you will have in your lifetime. Completing and attaining your college degree will set you up for a better way of life for you and for your family. Do not ever give up, no matter how much work it will take. You will be abundantly thankful that you made the decision to commit to this worthy endeavor. Many blessings to all of you! Ms. Rivette CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017! I am blessed to have worked with the Upward Bound students since 1999 and am still amazed, each year, of our bright and talented students. It has been an honor to watch you grow, develop, and leave to become all that I know you will. Nothing in life comes easy but I promise you, if you keep focused on your goals, surround yourself with positive people, and work hard you will be successful. Be proud of your accomplishments and know that there are many new experiences in your future. Chase your dreams with vigor and a good attitude and know that the Upward Bound staff will always be there for you. Please stay in touch…..we miss you already! Mrs. Cates We would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Manns and the Aldine ISD administrative team for their outstanding support and dedication to the Upward Bound program. We appreciate you! 4 Julissa Bergeron Jaesline Bernal College attending in the fall: College attending in the fall: University of Houston University of Houston Career: Nursing Career: Nursing Favorite UB memory: Going to Favorite UB Memory: Meeting new Disneyland in the summer with people from different schools and friends. the bond shared. Marco Castro Jesus Contreras College attending this fall: College attending this fall: Texas A&M Lone Star College—North Harris Career: Civil Engineering Career: Criminal Justice Favorite UB Memory: Overnight trip to San Antonio. Favorite UB Memory: 2015 SWASAP, UB Bowl 2015 & 2016, Summer trip to Colorado. Daniel Corona Emmanuel Davis College attending this fall: College attending in the fall: University of Houston Lone Star College—North Harris Career: Medicine Career: Cosemetology Favorite UB Memory: The summer trip to Los Angeles in 2015 was my Favorite UB Memory: My favorite. Being in Disneyland at favorite UB memory was night was amazing and something I attending the trip to Sam will always remember for the rest Houston State University and of my life then going to Main Event. Roxana Escobar Alma Gomez Fall Plans: College Attending this fall: United States Army Lone Star College—North Harris "Some people arrive and make such Career: Nursing a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was Favorite UB Memory: One of my like without them." - Anna Taylor most memorable [UB] moments would be the bonfire from the SWASAP conference. I loved the family feeling of that night. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson 5 Gustavo Gomez Ricardo Guerrero College attending in Fall: College attending in the fall: Lone Star College—North Harris Lone Star College—North Harris Career: Communications Career: Engineering Favorite UB Memory: There are so Favorite UB Memory: Getting to many, but coming in the College scout and explore the SFA campus Center every time and receiving a on our field trip was nice. warm “Hello” from Ms. Judd. D’Narius Harris Liset Hernandez College attending this fall: College attending this Fall: University of Texas San Antonio University of Houston Career: Accounting Career: Psychology Favorite UB Memory: College Favorite UB Memory: Lynzee campus trips. Mendoza gave a speech at a UB Banquet and dedicated it to her parents and family which brought tears to my eyes.