On Friday, June 26, 2015, the UCA Upward Bound program f participated in an Upward Bound Retreat for North Central Arkansas.
Events of the day began with a campus tour of Lyon College followed by a series of competitions between the Upward Bound programs in attendance: Arkansas State University-Beebe, Arkansas State University-Heber Springs, Lyon College, and University of Central Arkansas.
Competitions included academic contests (tests in all four ACT subject areas), a spelling bee, an art exhibition, Quiz Bowl, field games, and a basketball shoot-out.
Jerald Mock won 1st place in ACT Math. Trey White won 2nd place in ACT Reading. Kendall Walker won 1st place in the Art Exhibition. Emily Withrow won 3rd place in the Art Exhibition, and our teams won both the field games and the basketball shoot-out.
Additionally, UCA students had the opportunity to speak with Joseph Didden, Field Representative from Rep. Rick Crawford’s office, who was there to observe the event (held in his district).
UCA students shared their experiences and explained why Upward Bound is so important to them in order to help ensure his continued support in funding for TRiO programs.
Stetson Painter, Field Representative from Senator John Boozman’s office, was in attendance as well.
UCA’s Upward Bound Project provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance.
The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits.
The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rates at which participants enroll in and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education.