It was one of those moments in time: a milestone requiring years of work that is over in a flash but lives on in memory forever.
On Saturday, May 23, the 30 graduating senior scholars of UHD’s Upward Bound program enjoyed their Senior Signing Day ceremony on the UHD campus. In celebration of their academic commitments and achievements, each student received a certificate as well as a duffle bag packed with a college care package in preparation for the next big step in their lives. Three of those students are officially Gators: KIPP Journey Collegiate School’s Alexandra Carpio, Harmony School of Ingenuity’s Rony Gomez, and Yates High School’s Jaeden Johnson are all attending UHD in the fall.
One hundred guests, including family members and 9th -11th grade Upward Bound participants, were on hand, cheering on the graduates and enjoying the “Gallery Walk” where students had set up tables for their respective schools.
The event also recognized the years of preparation, college tours, and academic mentorship provided by the TRIO Upward Bound program. Upward Bound is a federally funded, nonprofit program that provides college preparation to low-income, first-generation high school students attending specific target schools in the Greater Houston area. For more than 30 years, the UHD Upward Bound program has served hundreds of students, remaining dedicated to increasing college enrollment and the attainment of post-secondary degrees or certificates.