With the academic year moving full steam ahead, we are proud to announce our new class of seniors. These students have been meeting during the summer and during the first week of August to begin their college admission process. Upward Bound seniors also meet throughout the entire academic year to discuss and prepare for college entry. Last year, we are proud to say that each UB senior who attended their senior meetings enrolled in a four year college/university. We are looking forward to some great things from the Class of 2012 as well!

Damani Aziz - Franklin County High School Jillian Barnes - Franklin County High School Sophia Bellamy - Frankfort High School Gill Finley - Franklin County High School Asia King - Franklin County High School Anthony Leachman - Western Hills High School Kayla Lightfoot - Western Hills High School Kyle Lightfoot - Western Hills High School Thamara Pires - Franklin County High School Sara Plotner - Western Hills High School Stephanie Robinson - Franklin County High School Kaitlyn Sams - Western Hills High School

Saturday, August 13th 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Saturday, September 17th 12:15-2:15 p.m

Saturday, October 1st 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Saturday, November 5th 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Saturday, December 10th 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Meetings will be held on the fifth floor of ASB unless otherwise noted. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

Throughout the summer of 2011, I had the opportunity to conduct research with Dr. Avinash Tope and Mrs. Phyllis Rogers through NIH's STEP-UP program NIH STEP-UP program is centered upon providing students with the opportunity to conduct research in the medical and health field.

I was able to work in a lab along with a KSU college student in order to research the changes in weight and body mass index (BMI) of students away from their homes for an extended period of time.

We passed out permission slips to students who volunteered to participate in our research. Each

participant's weight and BMI was recorded at the beginning of their five week stay at Kentucky State University (KSU). Each student was asked to wear a pedometer to record the amount of calories burned and to list what they ate every day to record the amount of calories consumed. At the end of the five week trial, each student's weight and BMI was recorded again and the results were compared.

I had to prepare a power point presentation, an abstract, and an essay based on my research findings. NIH's STEP-UP sponsored my travel to Bethesda, Maryland. In Maryland, I had to present my research to a group of students and professionals. The trip to Maryland gave me the opportunity to meet new friends and participate in helpful seminars.

Congratulations to Upward Bound's 2011-2012 Leadership Team. These students were voted into office by their peers. We are looking for to some great things from each of them.

President.....Gill Finley Vice-President.....Stephanie Robinson Secretary.....Sophia Bellamy Treasurer.....Thayna Pires Class Liaison.....Thamara Pires Mr. Upward Bound .....Kyle Lightfoot Miss Upward Bound.....Rebecca Coleman

The leadership team will be advised by Miss Riah Williams, UB tutor/mentor and Second Vice-President of Kentucky State University's Student Government Association. Leadership meetings will be announced soon.

My experience during the summer trip was great. I had a fun time visiting new and exciting places with the rest of my Upward Bound family. The first thing that we did when we got to Charleston was go to Folly Beach. This was really fun because we all got to go out in a new environment with each other. After the beach we came to our first hotel, and it was so nice!

On the second day, the groups that wanted to compete in the Robotics competition went to a local college to compete. The people that didn't want to compete went to the mall. After hours of competing there were three Upward Bound teams remaining in the top ten. Charlie's Angels, Three-Musketeers, and Pretty Girlz were the last groups left in the competition from Upward Bound. Charlie's Angels and The Three-Musketeers came in third. I can't wait to compete again next year.

The next day we packed all of our things and left our extravagant hotel for Florida. We arrived in Orlando very early in the morning, so we all went straight to bed after receiving our room keys. On the first day of being in Orlando we went to

Students in the Kentucky State University Upward Bound Program pose with their trophy for coming in second runner in a regional robotics competition in July. Participants are, from left to right, Rebecca Coleman, Thayna Pires, Director Gill Finley, Jillian Barnes, teacher Dewayne Hancock, Corey Bellamy and Demetria Quincy. As published in State Journal on August 4, 2011. Universal Studios. I was very excited to go there because I'd never been. I had a blast, and it seemed like everyone else did too.

Universal Studios. I was very excited to go there because I’d never been. I had a blast, and it seemed like everyone else did too.

We spent our last day at Wet N' Wild, it was a good day to go too because it was extremely hot! This water park was so much fun; we should definitely go again if we go back to Orlando. I think everyone definitely enjoyed this activity. After leaving the water park, we made our way to the mall and spent a few hours there. The mall was our last activity for the trip. So unfortunately after that we were making our way back to Kentucky. I had a lot of fun this year and I really appreciate everything that the Upward Bound staff does for us to allow us to go on these trips. Thanks everyone!

Before a person can venture out of the country or travel overseas he/she must first obtain a passport. A passport allows the person to travel to distant lands and meet people of different background and cultures. It gives them the ability to partake in experiences and opportunities they may not have had the chance to experience without obtaining a passport. To describe the role of a passport in one word would simply be: accessibility.

A college degree is no different from a passport. Obtaining a college degree gives a person access to different opportunities, experiences, places, and people they might not have otherwise been able to have without a college degree. Moreover, having a college degree allows a person to live a fuller life compared to those who do not have one. Studies prove that people with college degrees make more money than those that do not. In addition, most people with college degrees have the opportunity to advance within their career compared to those who do not have a college degree.

Realizing the benefits of students obtaining a college degree, this year’s theme for the academic component is entitled: Upward Bound Passport: Destination College - A college education will take you wherever you want to go. Each senior meeting, leadership meeting, workshop, and activity will be centered upon college preparedness and college readiness. For our Upward Bound students, receiving a college degree is their passport to greatness. We expect great things from each of them.