Selma students travel onward and upward

By

Times-Journal Writer

The trip was part of the six-week summer enrichment program for Upward Bound students who live on campus at Concordia, which along with intensive academic work, includes participation in Upward Bound Summer Olympics.

Ronnie Harrison, who has directed the Upward Bound program for Concordia College for the past eight years, served in the same capacity at Selma University for 20 years.

Harrison said that the group toured many of the major Chicago attractions

during the five-day trip, July 14-18, including museums, the corporate headquarters of Jet and Ebony magazines and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, along with the Magnificent Mile and the Navy Pier.

They also toured the campus of a sister Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, college, River Forest, enjoyed a day at Six Flags Great America and a shopping blitz.

The group stayed in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove, Harrison said.

“The intended goal of the trip was to provide the students with experiences designed to enhance overall growth and maturity, and to help the participants become more well-rounded individuals,” Harrison said.

Harrison said the young people were well-behaved, enjoyed the trip and during the course of it kept a daily journal, part of an English and writing project.

Upward Bound is a national program, according to Harrison, that provides Saturday instruction during the school year and a more intensive course of study during the summer months.

The Chicago trip is the high point of the year. Other cities toured in recent years include Orlando, New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and San Antonio. One group got to go on a cruise to the Bahamas.

The Selma-based program includes 80 high-school students from Selma and Dallas and Wilcox counties. Ten teachers from the schools attended by the students serve throughout the year, providing tutoring and support in such areas as English, math, reading, literature, Spanish, computer science and counseling on college admission and financial aid, and on taking the ACT and SAT tests for college.

Those who complete the three-year program for 10th- through 12th-graders, go through a graduation exercise and can participate in a summer Bridge Program before entering college. Courses can be taken for college

credit.

Students who choose to do so are also able to have summer jobs, within limits, at the same time they participate in Upward Bound.

They are also paid a stipend for successful participation in the program and 40 students are allowed to participate in a work-study program that allows them to receive the stipend plus income from approved employment.

For nearly three decades, Ronnie Harrison has directed Upward Bound students – first at Selma University and now at Concordia.

He thinks it’s a great program for youth who need added support to complete their education successfully.

“Upward Bound is a challenging, yet rewarding program with the best high school students and instructors you can find. Everyone working hard to make the most successful students in life we can. Students striving to achieve academic greatness, with excellent support, and all the ingredients for acceleration in high school and collegiate life,” he said.

For more information about the Concordia College Upward Bound Program, interested persons who live in the counties served may request an application from the school guidance counselor, or they may contact the Upward Bound Program Director, Ronnie L. Harrison, on the Concordia College campus or call (334) 874-5700, ext. 127. The academic phase of the program will begin in September.