黑料福利社

High school students from the Lower 黑料福利社 huddled in groups around tables on a recent morning wearing lab goggles and prepared to conduct a science experiment. They were tasked with hypothesizing, experimenting and observing the effects of heat, solubility and the reactions of chemical compounds.

The students were learning about the scientific method at 黑料福利社 College in Yakima. Emeka Udenze, YVC's chemistry instructor, walked around the class to check on their progress and remind them to write down their observations.

The summer experience for high school students is part of the community college's program, which provides low-income and first-generation students firsthand college experience while earning high school credits.听

Upward Bound is a six-week residential program that serves students in grades 9-12 who attend聽Sunnyside, Granger, Wapato and Toppenish high schools. Students take core classes in subjects such as math, science and English while living at YVC's Student Residence Center.听

The first four weeks are a full class schedule, the fifth week is online and the last week is a camping trip. Sprinkled throughout the program are activities, workshops and field trips to encourage team building and get students out of their comfort zones.听

A typical summer cohort is around 23 students, but can reach as many as 40, said聽Isaias Guerrero, the Upward Bound director. Recently, YVC partnered with Washington State University, so this year's cohort is at 37 students from around the Lower Valley.听

The program has been around for more than 40 years, and Guerrero, who has been the program's director for the past three years, has seen a significant impact on students.听

"I've just seen that confidence build in them. They're challenged in a different way, and I could see their aspirations growing," he said. "Some of them join, and they're not sure if college is even an option for them, and, for some of them, by the time that we've worked with them, they can start to see themselves pursuing higher education."

The Upward Bound program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and is free for students to join. They even earn a monthly stipend for their participation.听

Every year, the community college has to report the program's performance on enrollment, retention, graduation and standardized testing.听Guerrero said that TRIO has seen significant success in those metrics.听

"We've heard from a lot of our alumni that this program has positively impacted their life," he said. "They're always wanting to be around the program and the students, because they know that it works."聽

The Upward Bound summer experience

Jimena Diaz, an incoming senior at Toppenish High School, is in her third year in the TRIO Upward Bound program.听She initially heard about it through one of her counselors and thought it would be a great opportunity for her future.听

"It was a great idea," she said. "Since I'm a first-generation student trying to go to college, I don't have much guidance from my parents. So it was good to have guidance from mentors here."

TRIO Upward Bound is a year-round program that serves 110 students across four high schools. The program provides high school students with resources, including guidance on navigating college and scholarship applications, one-on-one support, career planning assistance and college campus tours.

Diaz's parents have encouraged her and her sisters to go to college, since they didn't have a college education themselves. Her parents wanted their children to be better, Diaz said.听

What excited her most about the program was making new connections. The program also opened doors she didn't know existed.听Though her first summer away from her parents made her nervous, she said everyone has made her more comfortable.听

"I feel like when I go to college, I'm going to be more prepared," Diaz said.

Diaz wants to attend the University of Washington to study architecture and real estate, with the goal of starting her own business.

Jocelyn Moran, an incoming junior at Granger High School, is in the same boat as Diaz. She is in her third year of the Upward Bound program. She heard about it from her cousin and older sister.听

"I really enjoy the classes I take, the people I meet and hanging out with my friends," she said. "I keep coming back because it's just a really fun experience, and I really like how the dorm living is."

Being in the Upward Bound program has helped Moran manage her time better, communicate with professors and learn more about higher-education expectations. To her, the adjustment process to college life was easier than she initially thought.听

Moran's parents have also encouraged her to go to college. Her siblings did pursue higher education, so she does feel the pressure, she said.听

Her most memorable moment during the program's summer experience is the last week, when the students go camping. Students spend a few days at a learning camp, where they engage in team bonding, kayaking and canoeing.听

"It's just all fun and laughs, and like nothing to worry about," Moran said.

Moran said she would recommend this program to other people, and already has.听

After graduation, she wants to stay local, planning to attend YVC before potentially聽transferring to the University of Washington. Her field of study is undecided, but she's leaning toward radiology, she said.