update “Fall seven times, rise up eight..” - Japanese proverb
We’re Proud of You, First Quarter Scholars!
October-November 2009
What’s Inside? Career Day Wrap Up What you should have heard
From the staff
3.750 to 3.999 Amy L. (Logan) * Daisy P. (Tomah) * Tria X. (Logan) Tou V. (Holmen) * Pa Choua L. (Holmen) * Sabrina B. (Logan) Hai Va Y. (Central) * Yer L. (Holmen) * Michael B. (Sparta) Kaitlyn B. (Sparta) * Avon L. (Logan) Mai Zoua V. (Holmen) * Sheng Y. (Onalaska)
Words of wisdom from UB
News YOU can use Scholarships
Blast From the Past Bounder Bear’s Alumni News
Parents’ Page
4.000 and above Zachary K. (Sparta High Point) * Shue Shia Y. (Central) Sou Thee H. (Logan) * Jasmine A. (Central) Christina B. (Sparta) * Katelynn B. (Sparta) Blair M. (Sparta) * Tou Long V. (Central) * Bobby L. (Logan) Gao Seng Y. (Logan) * Fong V. (Holmen)
3.500 to 3.749 Tammy X. (Holmen) * Ma Lia T. (Central) Mai Koua V. (Holmen) * Siesha M. (Central) * Phan Y. (Onalaska) Kou X. (Logan) * Fue Y. (Holmen) * Miranda A. (Tomah)
Career Exploration Upward Bound serves students from several different schools with different grading systems UB figures all participants’ quarter grades using a four point weighted scale. The resulting UB grade point average is used for this honor roll. Only UB participants active during all of the quarter are included here.
. . . and much more!!!
SERVICE 2009 UB usually incorporates two or three community service days into its programming. On Saturday, October 3, students and staff helped out at the Kane Street Community Garden and took a turn cleaning up the UB stretch of County Highway M.
Pulling vines
Gleaning tomatoes
Rolling up fencing
Why Volunteer? Because I Voluntold You To! You're swamped at school, basketball practice has you beat, it's your turn to babysit, and you're late for UB tutoring! With such a hectic life, who would want to volunteer ... for free? If you're in Upward Bound, you should be raising your hand high. Community service isn't just for those who have been court ordered. In fact, volunteering is a great way to: Build your college resume - Colleges love to admit students who are involved outside of the classroom. In fact, community service could mean the difference between an acceptance letter and the waitlist at your dream school. Remember, it's better to dedicate yourself to one or two organizations than to spread yourself too thin among many commitments. Try something new - Thinking about becoming a teacher but not sure if it's the right career for you? Get some hands-on experience by becoming a volunteer tutor for elementary school kids! Community service is a great way to explore different career paths and gain valuable work experience without the commitment or pressure of a job. Meet new people - Chances are you won't be volunteering alone. And the people you meet while serving your community probably already share some of your interests (like volunteering!). Even if you don't meet your new BFF while serving soup at the homeless shelter, you can at least gain some good contacts and build your professional network. Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know that counts! Have fun - If you're really going to make your service stick, find something you really enjoy doing. If you're a drama queen (or king), you could dress up as Frosty for the Southside Neighborhood Center's annual Candy Cane Hunt. Or, if you're a seasoned woodsman (or woodswoman), pick up litter the next time you take a hike through Hixon Forest. Change the world - Ok, so maybe not the entire world, but you can at least change your small corner of it. And as someone wiser than I once said, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." Convinced yet? I thought so! There's plenty of volunteer opportunities right in your own community. Here's a short list of organizations that could use your help during the cold winter months. Boys and Girls Clubs (Black River Falls, Greater La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah) Children's Museum of La Crosse Habitat for Humanity ReStore Hillview Greenhouse Life Center La Crosse Southside Neighborhood Center Salvation Army of La Crosse The web site http://www.volunteermatch.org/ is a great online resource to help you find volunteer opportunities in your area that fit your interests. Also be sure to check out our new Community Service page on the Upward Bound web site for links to local organizations with volunteer opportunities for high school students! (www.uwlax.edu/ upbound/volunteer.htm)
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UB Update
On Thursday, October 29, UB students visited UW-Platteville during a Pioneer Preview Day. It was an early start but well worth it. UW-Platteville is probably best known for its engineering and agricultural programs but it offers a wide range of majors from accounting to theater and everything in between. Students learned about admissions and financial aid, toured campus, ate lunch at Glenview Commons, and visited with representatives of departments that interested them.
n w o T UBout On Sunday, September 20, several UB students attended the La Crosse Community Theater production of the music, She Loves Me. Based on the films, The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, this play tells the story of two headstrong people who fall in love with their penpals without realizing that they ARE the penpals.
“I went to the Pioneer Preview at UW-Platteville on Thursday, October 29th. When I went there, there were great academic programs and student services that their campus offered. Going there helped me get a clear view of what a student going to UWPlatteville might be like. I thought that it was interesting because UW-Platteville is the safest college in Wisconsin and it’s ranked the 11th safest college in the nation. UW-Platteville offers a variety of different intramural sports, like women’s volleyball, racquetball, badminton, and tennis to name a few. Water polo and softball are the only two sports that aren’t offer to women, but only men. UW-Platteville offers a variety of scholarships to incoming freshmen. Those who apply and are accepted to UW-Platteville are eligible for a series of general university and specific college and major scholarships.”- Linda H. (Onalaska HS)
Escape From Happiness is a really crazy play that was the October optional event for UB students. It was performed on Friday, October 16 by the UW-L Theatre Department and it was great! The timing was very tight and the story, which seemed light hearted, had a much deeper meaning. We all really enjoyed the play. On November 13, some UB students attended a play performed by the UW-L Theater Department. Frozen in a series of monologues examines the story of a murder from the point of view of the mother of the victim, the pedophile/murderer and a researcher studying violent crime and remorse.The play was in UW-L’s Frederick Theater, an intimate setting with a “thrust arch” (stage that’s surrounded by seating on three sides). This venue adds to the intensity of the situations in the play.
On Friday, October 30, more than 20 UB students attended UWMilwaukee’s Open House where they learned more about majors, programs and activities on campus, the admissions and financial aid process, housing, meals (including lunch on campus) and the wider community. UB college visits are one of the perks of participation. We offer at least four to six visit opportunities during the academic year with additional visits offered during the summer program. Second semester, UB will visit UW-Stevens Point, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, UW-Richland, Viterbo University, UW-La Crosse and Western Technical College. More info about second semester visits will be mailed early in January.
UB Update
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October-November 2009
CAREER DAY
Jasmine A. (Central) - accepted at Iowa State University, Drake University and the University of Iowa, where she was granted a U of I National Scholars Award!
On Saturday, November 14, UB students and staff gathered at Viterbo University’s Reinhart Center for our 26th annual Career Day. The group was welcomed by Dr. Georgia Christensen, FSPA. Dean, School of Graduate, Professional, and Adult Education at Viterbo.
Amy L. (Logan) - awarded a 2009 Young Woman of Tomorrow Outstanding Achievement Award at the YWCA Tribute to Outstanding Women! AND accepted to the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse!
After Paul Krause, UB assistant director, gave an overview of the day, keynote speaker, Mr. Richard Kotovich, a counselor at Western Technical College, talked to students about real life situations they would encounter in the world of work and skills they could acquire and hone now to be more successful.
Avery V.G. (Central) - accepted at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire amd the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse!
Following the speaker, students attended a mock Job Fair where they were able to speak to employment representatives from several local businesses and agencies about jobs available and skills and education needed to fill them.
Song V. (Logan) - accepted at the University of Wisconsin - Stout and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire!
Thanks to area professionals: Dr. Be Lo, N.D. (The Natural Health Center), Ms. Katie Groves (Workforce Connections - AmeriCorps), Ms. Penny Ybarra (Ho-Chunk Housing and Public Works), Mr. Eric O'Neill (Michaels Engineering), Second Lieutenant Corey McCaigue (Eagle Battalion, Army ROTC), Mr. Houa Vang (Gundersen Lutheran Health System), Ms. Elizabeth Montemurro (Viterbo University).
Tria X. (Logan) - accepted at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse! Congrats, new NHS members! Bobby L., Sou Thee H., Kaitlyn B. Sheng Y. earned an Onalaska HS “Extra Effort” Award for November! The Extra Effort Award is awarded to students who work above and beyond what is expected.
Thanks to Prof. Alissa Oelfke, M.B.A., Dahl School of Business, Viterbo, for coordinating our use of these great facilities.
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UB Update
What happens if you have TOO many scholarships!? Ask new UW-L freshman, T’Kea McClendon, guest speaker at UB’s Scholarship Workshop for juniors and seniors on Tuesday, November 24.
Read the fine print/Produce a fine application. Are you really eligible? Have you followed all instructions to the letter? Are all the documents legible? Is the application complete?
There are a lot of scholarships out there, but you have to work for them! This means planning ahead, being organized and persevering.
Recommendation letters Some scholarships ask you to submit recommendation letters from teachers or other adults who know you well. Most people are happy to write letters, but they need time! Request two or three letters early in your senior year, at least two to three weeks before you need them. Tell the people you ask that you plan to use them for scholarship applications. Make a copy of the letters for your own files.
When should you start preparing? Many scholarships ask you to list your school and community activities and work. It’s never too early to start your student résumé - a list of your classes, volunteer work, clubs, leadership roles, honors and awards, special experiences and jobs. UB has templates you can use at www.uwlax.edu/upbound/forms.htm. Make sure you keep your résumé up to date. Review and revise it during winter and summer breaks every year.
What about the essays? Many scholarships require you to write. Whether it’s a brief description of your educational goals or a long essay on a given topic, honing your writing skills throughout high school will pay off when it’s essay writing time.
Where should you look? Schools usually keep a file or webpage of scholarships available to local students. Check there first. Then, use FastWeb (www.fastweb.com), a free scholarship matching service. Still looking? Start thinking about your, your parents and your family’s affiliations. Many utilities offer scholarships for children of customers, for example. Is your parent a union member or does she belong to a state, regional or national organization? Check websites of all affiliated groups. Once you are accepted to university, be sure to check for all scholarships available - some have special freshman scholarships. Ask everyone you know, too.
When writing scholarship essays, always read the instructions very carefully before you begin! And start early - proof read your first draft and then have someone read it over - a teacher, your UB tutor, a parent or an adult with good writing skills. Make sure to keep your essay focused and limited. Make copies of everything! Keep your completed scholarship applications in your folders or files in case you need to resubmit or can use them for other applications. T’Kea followed her own excellent advice and earned more scholarship money than she could use! Start now to prepare for your excellent scholarship application adventure!
When should you start applying? Most scholarships for new freshman require applications be completed early in the year of fall admission. But some have earlier deadlines. The deadline for the $1,000 Kohl Foundation Excellence Scholarships, for example, is early November of your senior year.
Here are some sites that can help: College Board - How to Apply for a Scholarship www.collegeboard.com/parents/pay/scholarships-aid/21402.html
Get organized! When you start your scholarship search, plan an organization system. It might be separate folders for each scholarship or a file drawer with dividers. Keep a spreadsheet or database of scholarships with required items, deadlines and date applied. Don’t worry if you hear nothing right away; keep applying.
UB Update
FastWeb - Common Essay Questions www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/33-common-essayquestions-and-how-to-handle-them
Office of Federal Student Aid - Scholarship Portal http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/ scholarships.jsp?tab=funding
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October-November 2009
Kya Anderson (Holmen ‘05) graduated from Luther College this spring. Tanya Mullen (Holmen ‘05) just graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul! Heather (Leis) Flock (Sparta ‘02) graduated from Western TC.
It’s Performance Report time again and that means Bounder has taken on the role of detective to track down education info about UB graduates and former participants. Through national reports, student emails, calls to families and Facebook, slowly but surely we are getting the news.
Jennie Vang (Tomah ‘03) graduated from Winona State University in May with a certificate in clinical lab science from the University of North Dakota. In other news ...
The report is due in early January - please email vanmaren.cath@uwlax.edu or call us at 608 785-8539 or complete the graduate survey at www.uwlax.edu/upbound/ gradsurvey.htm if you have news!
Jason Linder (BRF ‘05) was in a movie this summer! Dancing With Miss White was produced in BRF and premiered there in August - check out some clips on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IHRYGfvIH7g
Thanks to Prof. Alissa Oelfke (Central ‘89), Dr. Bee Lo (Logan ‘87) and Houa Vang ((Logan `01) for helping out at our November Career Day!
We receive monthly updates from Dr. Fungchatou Lo, Ph.D. (Logan ‘85) who has degrees from UW-L, UWMadison, UW-Milwaukee and ordination from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He and his family are serving as missionaries in Cambodia with the LCMS World Mission. For updates on Dr. Lo’s work, visit www.lcms.org/pages/ internal.asp?NavID=12085
Michelle Abts (Logan ‘04) graduated from UW-River Falls last year! Chong Lor (Holmen ‘04) graduated from UWMadison in May! Rebekka Mayfield (Tomah ‘04) graduated from Winona State University in May!
If you have stopped out of school and need some assistance re-enrolling, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 608 785-8539 or emailing UpwardBound@uwlax.edu. We can help you work through your options, make contact with admissions departments, get transcripts, complete your FAFSA, and more.
Stephanie Roskos (BRF ‘07) graduated from MidState Technical College in May! Samantha Parker (Central ‘06) has recently received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army.
Even in these tough economic times, statistics still show that those who have college degrees will have an easier time finding a new job, absorbing new training, and switching careers!
Blia Yang (Logan ‘06) earned a degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in May! Heidi (Heiden) dela Rosa (Holmen ‘00) earned a Master’s Degree in Education from UW-L last Decmeber!
We hope to hear from you no matter what the reason so please call or email when you are home for the holidays or any time!
Also, congrats to these former UB students who left the program before they graduated high school:
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UB Update
S T N E R A P
Helping your student explore careers
Parent involvement is key to student success. This is especially true when it comes to career exploration, an important step for high school students aiming for college.
Interest and ability inventories - Upward Bound gives all incoming participants a Career Interest Inventory. Talk over the results with your student. Ask her or him to list interests and abilities and discuss careers that might match. Have your student list ten careers to explore.
Research - Help your student collect specific information about careers of interest including what kind of education or training are required? Where is this education/training available? What are future outlooks for this career? What personal qualities are expected of someone in this career? What are the working conditions and work hours? What pay and benefits are available to someone in this career? Is work in this career field available near where your student wants to live? UB Career Day is a great place to get this information but students can also talk to area professionals or get information online from professional organizations. Experience - Volunteer work, internships, organization memberships and school clubs are all ways for students to get a taste of specific careers. UB offers summer job shadows for rising seniors. Some schools also arrange for student job shadows. Students may also seek part time jobs in areas that interest them. Why? - Career exploration is a lifelong process. Career “[S]tudents who lack focus end exploration does not mean choosing a specific career, but up spending more time and as Louis Pasteur noted, “Chance favors the prepared money to earn a degree.” mind.” A student who has started focusing on careers may - from “Why Should My Child Explore Careers?” at recognize chances - a volunteer experience or networking http://cte.ed.gov/acrn/parents/careerexp.htm opportunity - that would pass right by someone who hasn’t started thinking about career possibilities. Identifying career interests might help students select the right courses in high school or plan summer activities. Career interests often determines which colleges are more suitable for students. According to American’s Career Resource Network (ACRN), a group of state and federal organizations that provide information, resources and training on career and education exploration, the number one reason students drop out of college is a lack of career focus! Resources Career Voyages (US Dept. of Labor & US Dept. of Ed): http://www.careervoyages.gov/ Parent Primer on Career Exploration (from FL Dept of Ed): www.fldoe.org/workforce/pdf/parentprimer-ce.pdf Career Resource Network Parent Guides (from ACRN): http://cte.ed.gov/acrn/parents.aspx#Career
Happy Birthdays!
Bonnie E. 11/23 * Yer V. 11/27 Cheng P. V. 12/2 * Song V. 12/8 Sheng Y. 12/11 * Xang H. 12/12 Zach K. 12/20 * Bunjun X. 12/20 Chai Y. 12/24 * Hai V. Y. 1/15 Maren K. 1/26 * Mai Z. V. 1/29 * Dessa P. 1/30
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October-November 2009