National
program promotes social, academic growth
By Cassady Jeremias
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
High school students are experiencing all
Cal State Long Beach has to offer by living
in the dorms this summer as part of the
Upward Bound program.
The nationwide program has been around for
30 years on this campus, and is aimed at
giving low income and first-generation
students a little extra help in high school
and at getting into college.
Last Thursday the students ranging in age
from 13 to 19, presented their final project
in front of the whole summer class, parents
and a quick visit by CSULB President Robert
Maxson. Each student had a small part in
the project titled "The Global Village,"
which
followed the theme of multiculturalism and
conflict resolution. The presentation featured
skits and small speaking parts showcasing
different countries from Africa, Asia and
recounted current events in Latin American
countries.
Students also acted out parts of American
history and were able to dress the part
of historical figures such as Muhammed Ali
and Malcolm X.
The federally funded program is year round,
with an intensive study program in the summer
where 80 students are selected from high
schools in Los Angeles, Compton and the
Long Beach area to study English, math and
other subjects. They also get more one-on-one
counseling and tutoring than in a regular
high school.
"It is an intense program. By the end
of six weeks we see a dramatic change, not
only in academics, but in social growth
as well," said Veronica Morales, administrative
assistant.
"We also have field trips to museums,
and places like Magic Mountain."
The program tries to recruit students as
early as possible and requires seniors to
apply to at least three colleges, including
one in the California State University system
and one in the University of California
system. The summer program goes from 7 a.m.
to 11 p.m., and the students live in the
dorms Monday through Friday.
Valinda Intarattana, the senior educational
career adviser said about 20 to 30 percent
of the students who graduate from Upward
Bound on this campus continue on to CSULB.
Last June 50 students graduated high school
and the Upward Bound program, and 15-20
of them enrolled at CSULB, Intarattana said.
"They get so comfortable with the campus
that they end up coming here," Morales
said.
Ciara Tell, a junior from Jordan High School
in Long Beach said she appreciates being
involved in Upward Bound.
"It's a very nice educational program.
It makes you focus on grades more than you
normally would," she said. Tell plans
on going to UC Irvine.
Besides studying and learning, students
also get to go on field trips.
"We are not too bored, not too locked
up. We get to go to the Titanic exhibit
next week," said Jessica Rodriguez,
a sophomore from John Glen High School in
Norwalk. Rodriguez plans on attending UC
Davis.
The girls said they appreciate the opportunity
to meet and get to know other people, and
realize it is an experience many do not
get to have.
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