SCC Upward Bound Program Visits University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University

Above: Upward Bound students outside of William T. Young Library at University of Kentucky.  From Left to Right: Victoria Hurley (Russell), Emily Popplewell (Russell), David Braymer (Casey), Shyanne Burchett (Casey), John Coons (Russell), Morgan Mercer (Casey), Whitney Oaks (Russell), Danielle Mitchell (Casey), Brandy Coons (Russell), Daylin Finney (Casey), Emma Honaker (Russell), Mackenzie Long (Russell), Katie Bradshaw (Russell), Brianna Franklin (Russell), Lanae Reed (Russell), Emily Cravens (Russell), Jamie Pullen (Casey), Kassidy Johnson (Russell), Julia Pullen (Casey), Kasie Bennett (Russell), Lisa Ballestero (Russell), Justin Doss (Russell), Brittany Dodson (Russell), Tehya Mills (Casey), Krista Meers (Russell), Aliyah Brown (Russell), Evan Bray (Russell), Devon Bailey (Russell), Kayla Bell (Casey), Josie Gyde (Casey), Tiffany Braymer (Casey), Zoye Cook (Russell), Danielle Pullen (Casey).  Not pictured: Derek Braymer (Casey), Andrea Butler (Casey), Jake Offill (Russell), Kaleb Sheene (Casey).

Above: Aliyah Brown of Russell Springs and Dr. Hasan Davis. Dr. Davis served as the keynote speaker at the Kentucky Upward Bound College Rally Day held at Eastern Kentucky University.

Students involved in Upward Bound, a program administered through Somerset Community College for Russell and Casey County high school students, recently visited the University of Kentucky for an on-campus college experience. Upward Bound participants from Russell and Casey County high schools began attending Summer Focus 2014 on June 9, 2014 at the SCC Russell Center.  The program is designed to provide the students enrichment in math, science and English and to expose them to new activities through elective classes such as digital photography, fitness, cooking, gardening, recreation and arts and crafts.  

While at the University of Kentucky, students lived in Blanding Tower and experienced academic classes in college classrooms.  Students toured the campus, tie-dyed t-shirts, ate in the on-campus dining facility and spent an evening at Malibu Jack’s racing go karts and playing mini golf.  SCC Upward Bound students also had dinner and a movie with the Upward Bound Program from Bluegrass Community and Technical College.  To conclude this experience, the students participated in the second annual Kentucky Upward Bound College Rally Day held at Eastern Kentucky University.  As participants in this day, SCC UB students toured EKU’s campus and viewed two shows, “Life” and “Dark” at Hummel Planetarium.   Approximately 600 Upward Bound students from across the state convened in the auditorium to hear motivational keynote address by Dr. Hasan Davis, current public speaker and actor, formerly with the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. The rally ended with a dance and games allowing students from all programs to have the opportunity to get to know someone new.  

Upward Bound Summer Focus 2014 will end on July 17 with a banquet for students and their families to be held at the Russell County Auditorium/Natatorium Complex.  Students who have successfully completed summer classes will then leave on July 20 for a four day cultural and educational trip to Orlando, FL.  

Upward Bound is a federally funded TRiO grant program celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.  The program is designed to increase the rate at which potential first-generation college students complete high school, enroll in higher education and obtain a degree in higher education.  Somerset Community College Upward Bound serves students from Russell and Casey County high schools.  For more information on how you or your child can be a part of this program, please contact Stephanie Likins at 270-858-6509.