Upward Bound summer program under way

Twenty-nine students of Chadron, Alliance and Gordon-Rushville high schools who have been participating in CSC’s year-around Upward Bound program arrived on campus Sunday, June 3, to begin the program’s month-long summer session.

Maggie Smith-Bruehlman, CSC Upward Bound director, said the program has brought a lot of energy to campus.

The students and their families became acquainted with the summer program’s staff Sunday evening during a picnic in Memorial Park and courses began Monday. The students are staying in CSC residence halls and participating in the wide variety of lessons and activities, many of which are led by CSC faculty members and students.

The program consists of 13 courses offered in the mornings. During afternoons and evenings, students may participate in a wide variety of life skills activities or catch up on coursework in study hall.

“A lot of them seem to be doing study hall already because they’re getting assignments in their writing workshop and science. They’re busy,” Smith-Bruehlman said.

The students travel back to their homes at 3 p.m. Fridays and return to campus on Sundays. The program will end on the eve of Independence Day.

Smith-Bruehlman said a highlight of the summer program will be a trip to educational and cultural sites near Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs, Colo., during the program’s final week.

The CSC Upward Bound last month received notice of funding renewal for the next five years, a total of $1.25 million. Upward Bound is one of six federal TRIO programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their educational endeavors.