Funded by the United States Department of Education with a grant of $250,000.

Upward Bound ProgramKentucky State University400 East Main StreetASB Room 519Frankfort, KY 40601

A Note from the DirectorGreetings UB Family,

Time is rapidly passing and the summer component is a monthaway. Are you excited to get a break? Well, before you startfocusing on your break, do not take a break in your classes butfinish strong. You are just a few weeks from receiving permanentgrades which will follow you right to the Admission Departmentto determine whether you can attend their college or not. Yourgrades will also determine how much money you will receive forcollege and books. So as you can see, you must finish strong!

I want to commend those of you who have been coming totutoring to stay ahead in your grades. I also want recognize allthose who work hard and keep their grades up, as well as, thosewho attend tutoring striving to get their grades up. Remember,the Upward Bound program is your support system! We areinvesting in your immediate academic progress to shape andbroaden your future opportunities. We see your potential andwill continue to push for more growth because you are collegematerial and bound for success. Just as a person enters into theArmy, some people enter with reservations and others with amind to become a solder. It’s a tough process and takes others tohelp shape and mode the person to become a solder. If you willlet us help you, if you stay with the process, if you will climbover the things that make you want to quit; you will become acollege student! A solder of academics! You are in a fight foryour future, and a lot of things are at risk. Fight for your dreams,call for back up and make the enemy of failure surrender to you!Great things are waiting for you, but you must continue youracademic travel to get to them.

Please keep this thought in mind:“Each student has a choice of how they will climb a mountain

or fix a flat tire on a bike, but those who use instructions or takeadvantage of help and tools given can always make it to the topfaster or ride a bike quicker than those who do it bythemselves!”

I am excited for you!

Sincerely,

Gill FinleyMr. Gill Finley502-597-6935

“Learning is a processof thoughts and experiences”

Volume One, Issue No. 2 UPWARD BOUND NEWSLETTER Spring 2009

Are U Ready forSummer ????

Upward Bound will be hosting its summer program forthe second year on the campus of Kentucky StateUniversity. The dates are tentatively set for June 22-July17th. Students will receive instruction in core subjectsincluding Math, Science, English as well as ComputerApplications and Foreign Language. Students will alsopartake in electives such as Basketball, Cooking, Stepclasses, and Swimming to name a few. Classes andElectives are also subject to change based upon demandand instructors available to teach. Several students willreceive the opportunity to work and take on-line collegeclasses. We will also take several trips to various collegecampuses. Males and females will be residing in separatedorms. Each dorm will have residential advisors who willbe able to assist the students with their livingarrangement, safety, and dorm needs. Peer tutor/mentorswill also help to tutor and mentor the students in theircore subjects, personal, study, and other important skillsneeded to succeed in college.

Wait? “What about the end of the year summer trip?”This summer Upward Bound will be traveling to the BIGAPPLE!!! New York, New York. However, students whowere consistently on academic probation and/or missedseveral Upward Bound workshops and activities may notbe able to participate in the end of the year summer tripand work-study program. (Please call the UpwardBound office for any questions/concerns.)

Kentucky Girls STEMCollaborative Conference

This year Upward Bound will take seven young ladies to theannual Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative Conference. TheKentucky Girls STEM Collaborative Project is an organization thatbrings together businesses and organizations for the purpose tomotivate girls to pursue educational choices in science,technology, engineering, and mathmatics. Upward Boundstudents selected will receive the opportunity to travel and tourthe University of Kentucky. They will also visit various industriesand facilities in Woodford and Fayette County. The young ladieswho will represent Upward Bound at University of Kentucky areas followed: Raeneisha Henton (WHS), Sandra Amponsah(FCHS), Kristina Kelly (FCHS), Sara Plotner (WHS),

Thamara Pires (FCHS), Stephanie Robinson (FCHS), and SophiaBellamy (FHS). Congratulations Ladies!

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Mrs. Reynolds is the quiet force behind our program. Sheundertakes a great deal of responsibility and handles it withprofessionalism, grace, and a beautiful smile. I had the pleasureof interviewing her today so the UB audience can gain insightinto this radiant songbird. Sit back and enjoy.

What is your favorite color?Purple-Because it is the color of royalty.

What is your favorite genre of music?I love all types of music but my favorite artists are WhitneyHouston, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion.

Can you sing?Yes. I am okay. I have sung for Kentucky State University, GospelEnsemble, Oakland University’s Chorus. I have also sung at the FoxTheater in Detroit, Michigan for Finney High School Concert Choir.I have also competed in several district and state choralcompetition, entitled MSVMA.

What do you do duringyour leisure time?Spend time with myhusband and daughter.Read. Clean.

How old is yourdaughter?1 years old.

Do you want anymore children?I don’t know yet! (Laugh).

What is your goal?My goal is to eventually open my own child care facility andbecome an entrepreneur. I will hopefully like to pursue a MastersDegree in Special Education.

What is your favorite quote?If you believe it, you can achieve it!

What do you like best about your job?Helping the students to get into college which is our main goal.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?I don’t believe in giving up. I believe in endurance, persistence,and ambition.

I would also like to thank each of the parents for being courteouswhen I make phone calls. I know sometimes it can be nerve-wrecking but I am calling to make sure everything in our officeruns effectively and efficiently. I appreciate your time andconsideration and look forward to working with you and yourchild during the summer program. If you have any questions,please feel free to contact me at anytime. I am always happy toassist you.

My interview with Angela Reynolds, the Administrative Assistant

20th Annual NationalStudent Leadership Congress

Franklin County High School Junior, Christopher Murphy, wasselected by the Upward Bound staff to attend TRIO programs20th Annual National Student Leadership Congress. Studentsselected to participate in this event will travel to Washington D.C.and reside on the campus of American University. Participantswill also attend a mock congressional session, visit variouscultural, historical sites, and attend workshops. Chris was selectedby the UB staff because of his academic achievement, leadershipdevelopment, and overall growth during his junior year. Each yearUpward Bound will select an outstanding, dedicated UpwardBound student to attend the conference. Good Job Chris!

What’s In It For Me?Throughout the year, the staff of Upward Bound will be looking

for various enriching activities for our UB participants. Our mottois Today’s Investment, Tomorrow’s Gain. We believe that byinvesting in our student’s academic progress, they will see abountiful gain in their grades, study habits, college acceptance,and scholarships. As Upward Bound students, it is important towork hard, attend UB Saturday Sessions, and tutoring. By doingyour part, we will do our best to reward you with variousactivities that could enrich you academically.

Radiant Songbird

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Upward Bound Tutoring Lab: A Proven SuccessUpward Bound tutorial program has

had a successful first year. Studentsreceived free tutoring on Tuesday-Thursdays from 4-6p.m. on the campusof Kentucky State University. Tutoringwas offered in a variety of subjectsincluding Math, Science, English, andSpanish. Students such as Jillian Barnes,Kyle Lightfoot, and Skylier Hockensmithsaw significant improvements in theirgrades due to their tutorial attendanceand hard work. In addition to tutoring,students also received mentoring in theiracademics, social skills, and study skills.Eboney Johnson, current tutor/mentor,thoroughly enjoyed the mentoringsessions with the students and believedthey were inspired. Upward Bound willcontinue to find new and successful waysto enrich students academically.

Sophomore Aaron Roberts studying for an exam.

Tutor Kendra Randle working with FreshmanSophia Bellamy

From Left to Right: (Student) Morgan Brown,(Student) Kaitlyn Sams, and (Tutor) PhilieshiaMotley.

(Student) Thamara Pires and (Tutor) KendraJoseph

From Left to Right:(Tutor) Antoinette

Mallet, (Student) TylerMattison, and

(Student) RobertCunningham in a men-

toring session.

From Left to Right: (Tutor) Antoinette Malletand (Student) Kaitlyn Sams

From Left to Right: Sophomore LaurenMcCoy and Tutor Allison Colston

From Left to Right: Mariah Wilson (student),Kendra Joseph (tutor), and Keaston Jones (stu-dent)

From Left to Right: (Student) Keaston Jones,(Tutor) Jessika Pringle, and (Student)Raymond Davis

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CONTACT INFORMATION:Upward Bound Program

Kentucky State University400 East Main Street

ASB Room 519Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 597-5525

Gill Finley, Jr.Director

(502) 597-6935gill.finley@kysu.edu

T'Ebony TorainAcademic Counselor

(502) 597-5724t'ebony.torain@kysu.edu

Angela ReynoldsAdministrative Assistant

(502) 597-5525angela.reynolds@kysu.edu

Please feel free to contact us with your questionsand/or concerns. We are here to help you.

Shanelle Walker, former Residential Assistant for UpwardBound’s summer program, was voted as Student GovernmentAssociation president at Kentucky State University for the 2009-2010 school year.

Kendra Randle, current Tutor/Mentor for theUpward Bound program, was voted as SGAsecretary at Kentucky State University for the2009-2010 school year.

Deonna Foster, current Tutor/Mentor for theUpward Bound program received an award forher 3.72 grade point average in KSU’s Bridgeclass and for the highest grade point averagefor Kentucky State University’s StudentAmbassadors.

Phileisha Motley who is also a currentTutor/Mentor was recognized as theOutstanding New Ambassador for SpringSemester.

Jessika Pringle, Tutor/Mentor for the UpwardBound program, was recognized for her 3.25grade point average also for the Bridgeprogram.

James Jenkins, former Peer Tutor/Mentor forthe Upward Bound program will be graduatingthis year and pursuing a graduate degree.James continued to support our programthroughout the school year by visiting UBstudents during tutoring and stepping with his

fraternity brothers at our First Annual Spring Bling. Jenkins is amember of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Derale Miller, also a former PeerTutor/Mentor for the Upward Bound programis planning on playing planning professionalfootball. Derale will be attending severalcamps this summer and will also be graduatingin May!

Rhaslyn Robb will also be graduating from Central StateUniversity and planning law school thereafter. She is currentlyworking for a law firm in Ohio. Rhaslyn was a former PeerTutor/Mentor for the Upward Bound program.

SPOTLIGHT!!! Past And CurrentUB Staff Are DoingGreat Things

WORKSTUDYPROGRAM

UB students will receive the opportunity to earn work skills andextra income while participating in the summer program. UpwardBound students interested in working during the summer programwere encouraged to complete a job application and return themto the UB office by Thursday, April 30th. Students will take partin an interview and job selection process. The program isdesigned to give students to gain valuable job skills and careerdevelopment opportunity in order to prepare them for theworkforce.

in the real world. Upward Bound is a great place with both greatpeople and having great experiences.

Ebony PopeMy name is Ebony Pope,

and I am from Cincinnati,Ohio. I am currently afreshman at Kentucky StateUniversity. My current g.p.a. isa 4.0. I received an AcademicAchievement Scholarship dueto my g.p.a. being above a3.5. My major is PoliticalScience, and my minor isEnglish. When I completecollege, I plan on beginningmy career as a lawyer. Collegeis a very important asset inorder for me to fulfill my aspiration of becoming a lawyer.Attending college can open many doors for people; the doorsyou may not be able to open with having only a high schooldiploma. Working with the Upward Bound Program hasinfluenced me tremendously. The Upward Bound Program hashelped me with dealing and/or accepting people who aredifferent from me. The students come from differentbackgrounds, and they all have different insights on life. I enjoyworking with the Upward Bound Staff and Students.

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Upward Bound First Annual

Spring Bling

UpwardBoundStaffStudents enjoying the party

Phi Beta Sigma’sstrolling

Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

Who keeps calling our house?Some of you may have wondered who were behind the voices

on the phone from the Upward Bound office. Well, UpwardBound would like to take the opportunity to formerly introduceyou to our 2008-2009 work study students. These young ladieswere a tremendous help to our program and were behind a greatdeal of leg work needed to get our administrative dutiesaccomplished. So, without further ad due, introducing…………………………………………….

Aeja Henderson-Greetings! My name is Aeja

Henderson and I am nineteenyears hailing from the greatcity of Cincinnati, Ohio. I am afreshman here at KentuckyState University and I plan topursue my career as a nurse. Ionly plan on staying here at K-State until I receive myAssociate’s degree, then I planon returning home to get myBachelor’s degree in nursing.Once I pursue my career as a

nurse I plan on working at Children’s Hospital. During my firstyear here at K-State I have had the privilege to work with theUpward Bound program. Through working with them I havegained a lot of knowledge and understanding of what to expect

In the 1980’s a popular song was released by Patti LaBelleentitled, A New Attitude. Check out some of the lyrics:

I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoesKnow where I'm goin' and I know what to do

I tidied up my point of viewI got a new attitude

Runnin' hot, runnin' coldI was runnin' into overload

It was extreme, ex-ex-ex-ex-ex-extremeIt took it so high, so low

So low, there was nowhere to goLike a dream

Somehow the wires uncrossed, the tables were turnedNever knew I had such a lesson to learn

I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoesKnow where I'm goin' and I know what to do

I tidied up my point of viewI got a new attitude

In this song, Labelle was proclaiming to the world that she hadbeen through some difficult circumstances; however, through themidst of her trials she learned to develop a new attitude. Thisleads me to the next question. How does one define the word“attitude”? Dictionary.com defines attitude as a state of mind,feeling, and/or disposition. A person’s attitude can be seen bothpositively and negatively. As in Labelle’s song, her positiveoutlook on her circumstances helped her to develop a newattitude.

During the third term, most Upward Bound students witnessedtheir grades take a huge nose dive compared to the first andsecond term. There could be several explanations as to why thisoccurred; yet, a huge reason can be due to the development of anegative outlook upon one’s academics. This outlook can beattributed to burn-out, stress, pessimism, and/or low confidencein one’s abilities.

The time is nigh to change your attitude towards youracademics. For many of you the grades you receive will be yourticket to college and a good education. Without that ticket, youmay not get very far. Several students who were strugglingacademically begin to witness the power of developing a positive

mindset. You have witnessed a stark increase in your grades,study habits, and test scores. You may have begun the programwith low grades but like the 2009 Kentucky Derby Winner, Minethat Bird, you have are headed towards first place. Many of youwere like the horses that left the gate with a momentous thrust;but, outside conditions both predictable and unpredictable leftyou far from your goal.

Nevertheless, you can still make it! Begin now by changingyour attitude. Develop the mindset of the tortoise. Regardless ofhow fast the rabbit outpaced him, he was still determined tomake it to the finish line. Or, live by the old proverb my fathertaught me when I was little “when life gives you a lemon, makelemonade.” The attitude you possess will dictate how far you willgo in life. Push toward the finish line! Get a new attitude.

SpringToday is the day when bold kites fly,

When cumulus clouds roar across the sky.

When robins return, when children cheer,

When light rain beckons spring to appear.

Today is the day when daffodils bloom,

Which children pick to fill the room,

Today is the day when grasses green,

When leaves burst forth for spring to be seen.

– Robert McCracken

Academics With AttitudeI GOT A NEW ATTITUDE

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Eastern Kentucky University

TRIO DayIn February, Upward Bound

students participated with over 500TRIO students from acrossKentucky on the campus of EasternKentucky University for TRIO day.TRIO day is a nation wide initiativegranted through the Department ofEducation with the purpose ofallowing students in programs suchas Upward Bound, Upward BoundMath and Science, EducationalTalent Search, and Student SupportServices to come together. Studentsparticipated in a variety ofworkshops such as Middle EasternDance, Sign Language, Alcohol 101, Social Dance, and DiningEtiquette. They also viewed displays from various departmentsincluding African-American Studies, American Sign Languageand Interpreter Education, AmeriCorps, Management,Marketing, etc. Upward Bound Students Thamara Pires, GillFinley, Sandra Amponsah, and Stephanie Robinsonrepresented Kentucky State University in the Upward BoundScholar’s Bowl. The students did very well for their first time.Although they did not make it into the Top Five, they areexcited about participating in the Scholar’s Bowl next year andplan to compete hard against the other schools.

From Left to Right: Kayla Lightfoot, Alex Whatley,Keaston Jones, Gill Finley, and Kyle Lightfoot

Kentucky StateUniversity UpwardBound Students at

Dance Seminarduring TRIO Day at

Eastern KentuckyUniversity.

From Left to Right: Sade Blackman and KaylaLightfoot

Upward Bound’s parent support group,W.I.N.G.S, has taken flight. Several parent meetings have beenheld throughout the year to discuss various activities andevents as well as protocol and procedures that would benefitand provide on going support to the Upward Bound program.Parents also elected officers to serve on the parent advisoryteam for the year. We are excited about this new initiative. Ifyou are interested in becoming a part of W.I.N.G.S., pleasefeel free to contact Betty Plotner at 502-352-7426.

W.I.N.G.S.(We Invest in The NextGeneration of Scholars)

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