Upward Bound takes Enid students higher

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April 17, 2009

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer The Enid News and Eagle Fri Apr 17, 2009, 01:29 PM CDT

In an effort to encourage Enid’s youths to attend college, Upward Bound, a federal program, has kept its program enrollment at capacity, with a waiting list.

“What we do is we help these kids get to college,” said Susan Dameron, director.

Upward Bound in Enid can take 50 students into the program. The students must be from low-income families or first-generation college students. Students can become part of the program beginning in ninth grade.

The program is in its second year at Northern Oklahoma College, and the majority of students who began the program last year have returned for a second year.

“This year we took in six new students, so we had 44 that have remained in the program,” said Dameron.

Benefits for students in the program include tutoring, counseling, academic advisement, cultural events, career exploration, mentoring, social skills training, college preparation, summer programs and stipends for participation.

During the school year, students receive one hour of tutoring each week and are offered one Saturday activity each month.

During the summer there are several special activities — including four weeks of academic camp, during which time students take classes and stay in the NOC dormitories.

This summer, Upward Bound students who will be high school seniors in the fall will take a trip to New Mexico to explore and learn about the state’s culture and history.

Students also will have the opportunity to attend plays this summer, said Dameron.

“The students have to earn these things,” said Dameron.

Students are encouraged to remain in the program through their high school years.

“It is a huge participation requirement,” said Dameron. “We see them often.”

But, Dameron said, the time spent pays off.

“I can say that 75 to 80 percent of the kids who do what they are supposed to do (in the program) go to college,” said Dameron.

Students who stay in the program through graduation from high school may choose to have summer classes at NOC paid for by the program the first summer after they graduate.

“They earn it by going through the program,” said Dameron.

Upward Bound operates at NOC through a five-year grant from Department of Education.

“I’m so proud of these kids,” said Dameron. “It’s amazing what teenagers will do once they know they can.”

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Upward Bound takes Enid students higher

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