DENMARK – Assisting high school students in their schoolwork and preparing them to enroll and successfully complete a post-secondary education is the mission of the Upward Bound Program at Voorhees College.

This summer, eligible ninth- through 12th-grade students from Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Denmark-Olar, Barnwell and Blackville-Hilda high schools participated in the program, which targets students from families with annual incomes of under $24,000. Most of the students are striving to be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college.

According to Lillian Mullino, the Voorhees College Upward Bound director, the program prepares students for college through academic assistance, extracurricular activities and counseling. The students receive assistance in math, science, English, speech, foreign language and computer skills for six weeks during the summer. All participants are required to live on campus to experience what college life will be like.

Brandon Bryant, an 11th-grader at Denmark-Olar High said Upward Bound had made a tremendous difference in his grades and has improved his computer application skills. This is his third summer attending the program at Voorhees.

“I wish the Upward Bound Program would go all summer long,” he said.

Rising senior Kanedra Jefferson, who attends Barnwell High, has also seen success through Upward Bound.

“I came to this program four years ago afraid, but now I am mentally and emotionally prepared for almost anything,” she said.

Jefferson said Upward Bound has prepared her for college through the program’s many travel opportunities, social activities and academic challenges.

Chandra Williams, a rising senior at Blackville-Hilda High, has participated in the program for four years.

“Upward Bound has improved my English, and now my creative writing is much better,” Williams said.

This marks Danielle Brown’s second summer in the program. Math is her favorite subject, and her wants to pursue a career in pharmacy.

“Upward Bound gave me self-esteem and increased my confidence,” Brown said, adding that her English and science grades have improved since being in the program.

Students come to the program seeking assistance in science; Jerome Grimes is a rising 10th grade that attends Bamberg Ehrhardt High. Jerome said, “That Science at Voorhees College Upward Bound Program is different, Ms. Williams made Science lessons fun.”

Ricky Sease, a Denmark-Olar rising senior, has attended the program for four years. With a GPA of 3.9 and a 1600 SAT score, he attributes much of his high school success to the UBP. He is on a fast track to college.

“With a 1600 SAT score, surely Ricky will receive scholarships,” said Pamela Wade, UBP coordinator and counselor. “Ricky received an award for ’Best All Around.’”

Another program that runs parallel with the Upward Bound summer component is the Bridge component. Participants are recent high school graduates who have completed the requirements for the regular UBP. Within the Bridge component, students attend college courses before actually enrolling in a college. Wade said the focus of the Bridge component is to create a “bridge” between high school and the college experience. This year’s Bridge participants are Lashonda Kearse and Derrick Logan, who both took courses at Denmark Technical College.

T&D Correspondent Hope Long Weldon can be reached by e-mail at JAMES3091@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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