CSC's Upward Bound program funded for another five-year term

Director of the program, Dr. Maggie Smith-Bruehlman, said she was grateful the annual grant was increased from $250,000 to $257,500. The CSC Upward Bound program is the only Nebraska program outside of Lincoln and Omaha, according to Smith-Bruehlman.

The annual program provides services to 60 eligible students annually from Chadron, Alliance and Crawford.

Upward Bound activities during the school year and a six-week summer program help at-risk students increase their academic skills, complete a rigorous academic curriculum, graduate from high school and enroll in a post-secondary program. Services include tutoring, college campus tours, financial aid information and workshops for students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators.

Past years have included a project making plush toys for children based on their drawings and a backstage tour of the Post Playhouse at Fort Robinson State Park. In 2015, Chadron's mayor, John Coates shared how the program made it possible for him to graduate from CSC in 1974.

The curriculum includes instruction in math, science, literature, composition and a foreign language. Parents of the participants and personnel from the schools involved, as well as other community agencies and organizations, contribute to various aspects of the program such as ceremonies and assessment.

The summer program begins Sunday with orientation before students move into the residence halls. Classes will begin Monday.

Each summer the program culminates in a multi-day trip for all students to at least one college campus and several tourist attractions. The destination this year is Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Additionally, five winners of an essay contest will travel to Nashville in September.