TRiO: Upward Bound

HCC holds reception for TRIO Upward Bound students

Hagerstown Community College recently held its 9th annual TRIO Upward Bound Reception. The event represents an end-of-the-year celebration for the TRIO Upward Bound students and their achievements during the 2022-2023 school year.

Following remarks Dr. Ohl-Gigliotti, HCC dean of students, attendees heard from student speaker Jasmin Fowlkes, and keynote speaker, Cherish McMillan. The awards were presented by Jim Mankins, TRIO Upward Bound manager, and Alex Goveo, advising and assessment specialist.

During the 2022-2023 school year, 58 students participated in the TRIO Upward Bound program. The program is a year-round college-preparatory program made possible through a $1.25 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to assist low-income, and/or first-generation college bound high school students with the skills and motivation necessary to succeed in high school and college. Upward Bound offers a variety of services to students such as an after-school tutoring program, college visits and cultural enrichment activities, monthly Saturday session workshops during the school year, and a six-week summer academy program.

Recognition of academic excellence was awarded to the top students with the highest cumulative GPA for each high school. From Hancock Middle-Senior High School: Haylee Penwell, Brooklyn McCusker, and Brody Stratton; from North Hagerstown High School: Awa Badjie, Faith Ngwa, and Amaya Summers; from South Hagerstown High School: Aria Blue, Leslie Holmes, and Ibrahim Sadikov; from Williamsport High School: Isabella Boggs, Jenny Constanza Lainez, and John Sauer; and from Tech High School:, Brianna Buskirk, Noah McCormick Fischer, and Sarah Otwey. Four students were recognized by their school coach with the True Grit Award. From Hancock Middle-Senior High School: Lydia Colosimo; from North Hagerstown High School: Edward Walker IV; from South Hagerstown High School: Myekell Williams; and from Williamsport High School: Katie Joaquin. Additionally, Sarah Otwey was named the Upward Bound Scholar of the year for going above and beyond in Upward Bound activities.

HCC’s TRIO Upward Bound program is currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/upwardbound.

(July 25, 2023)