Author: Susan Koepke

TRIO Upward Bound
Missouri State University

The TRIO

Volume 5, Issue 2

May 8, 2010

Inside this issue:

April D4C Meeting	1
This Day in History	1
Rory’s Corner	2
College Feature—Vanderbilt Univ	2
Calendar of Events	2
Birthdays	2
Site Coordinator Spotlight	3
April’s Corner	4

April D4C Meeting

Saturday, April 17th, marked the second to last Destined for College meeting for the 2009-2010 academic year. Upward Bound students gathered at Siceluff Hall for a fun day of activities and supplemental instruction.
Students, staff and site coordinators learned how to be “Elves, Wizards, and Giants”. In this fun team builder based on “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, groups had to decide what character to be and then face the other each other. After burning off some energy, students settled down to learn about their personalities and took the Myers-Brigg Type Inventory (MBTI). The MBTI is a simple, 93-question assessment that identifies a person’s personality type using four scales (Introverted-Extroverted, Intuitive-Sensing, Thinking-Feeling, and Perceiving-Judging).
After taking the assessment, the group had lunch in Blair-Shannon dining hall. For the rest of the afternoon, 9th through 11th grade students rotated between sessions presented by Rory, April and Susan. These sessions looked deeper into what the MBTI can say about academics, careers, and interpersonal behavior. The super seniors met with three Missouri State professionals to talk about writing skills, residential life, and financial aid.
It was a very rewarding day for all in attendance.

Bike to Work Day
May 21

May 8 in History

Throughout history, may exciting events happened on the 8th of May. Here are a look at some important historical events taking place.
1847 - Robert W. Thomson of England patented the rubber tire.
1884 - Harry S Truman was born. Some of you will know him as the 33rd President of the United States.
1886 - Dr. John S. Pemberton first sold his secret elixir as medicine. You may still drink this formula, better known as Coca-Cola, today.
1945 - This day was celebrated throughout the free world as Victory in Europe, or V-E Day. The Allied Forces had achieved Victory in Europe during World War II with the unconditional surrender of Germany. The surrender had been made official on May 7th at Reims, France.
1984 - Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) got married on "Happy Days"!
2010 - TRIO Upward Bound has their May D4C meeting.
Information gathered from: http://www.440int.com/twtd/archives/may08.html

Page #

The TRIO

Volume 5, Issue 2

Rory’s Corner

The month of May is recognized as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States. With that in mind, I reflect on my Asian Pacific Island experiences living abroad on the island of Saipan. One may ask, “Why would I go there?” The answer is simple, “Adventure!”
As I remember my life in the 8th Grade in the small, hollow town of Marquand, Social Studies was fascinating to me. The study of foreign beliefs, colorful cultures and exotic environments intrigued me. At that time in my life, I made the decision to become a world traveler.
Upon college graduation, an employer from the islands offered me a teaching job. Without hesitation, I grabbed it! Ten thousand miles and some 30 hours of air flight away, I arrived on the tiny atoll of Saipan.
Without any regrets, I am thankful that I accepted this opportunity that changed my life. From Dragon dances, Balinese festivals, Elephant treks, jungle hikes, viewing active volcanoes to dolphins chasing our ship in the Philippine Sea, these memories are a painted picture in my mind for life. As a result of these experiences, I am a nomad in search of another adventure. I challenge anyone to follow their dreams.

Vanderbilt University

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Distance from Springfield: 8 hours, driving
Tuition (15 hrs): $ 18,816 between 15—18 credits
Degrees Offered: Bachelors of Arts and Science
degrees, Degrees in Music, engineering, and Pre–Law and Pre– Medical degrees.
Cool Scholarship: Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship and the Ingram Scholarship, which include students with outstanding high school records who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to community service. The approximately 300 recipients of these scholarships in one of our three signature scholarship programs are guaranteed full-tuition awards plus summer stipends for study abroad, research or service projects.
School Mascot: “Mr. C,” is named for Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who founded the university in 1873. You will see Mr. C wandering around all the basketball games and shaking hands.
What do students have to say? Cohesive learning environment, students feel that administration and facility listen and respond to their needs.
Local Points of Interest: Music City, USA
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
2305 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 322-2561; E-mail: admissions@vanderbilt.edu
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/

May/June Calendar of events

Program Events!!!

5/12 Bethany Hicks
5/17 Kelli Loyd
6/6 April Burton
Ashley Burton
6/6 Summer Marsh
6/13 Brennan West
6/14 Mercedes Bowen
6/24 Cassie Walters

5/10 After School Meeting
(Central)
5/11 After School Meeting
(Hillcrest)
5/12 After School Meeting (Parkview)
5/13 Springfield Cardinals Game at 6:30
6/7 SPS Summer School Begins
6/7 Bridge Program Begins
6/14 Summer Academy Begins
6/18 Student Leadership Conference
6/24 Tent Theater
6/29 Game Center

Volume 5, Issue 2

The TRIO

Page #

Site Coordinator Spotlight

Chris Lord: Parkview
How long have you been a site coordinator?
I think this is my 5th year as a Site Coordinator at Parkview. I love working with Upward Bound; the people and the program are both amazing!
What is your favorite memory from Upward Bound?
My favorite Upward Bound memories are always the trips!
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
I became a middle school counselor in early 1990’s. I had been an LD teacher at both elementary and middle school level and decided to get a master’s degree in guidance and counseling since I worked with kids on a very personal level in small classrooms. Since that time I have been a middle school counselor at Hickory Hills and Jarrett middle schools and at Kickapoo and Parkview high schools. I guess I’m crazy because I loved working with middle school kids, but I also enjoy working with more sensible high schoolers.
What is your favorite spring time activity?
My favorite spring time activity is anything outside!!!!! I will spend endless hours in the yard to avoid being inside cleaning the house. I usually hang clothes on the line in spring and summer so I can do my laundry outside. I also love going to the woods for a day-long hike.
What is one thing all Upward Bound students should know?
Hard work, not luck, will take you the farthest in life!
Describe yourself in one word:
Crazy fun (oops, that’s two words…pick whichever one you want … crazy or fun, both apply).
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be retired so I can become a lifelong explorer.
Lynn Schirk: Hillcrest
How long have you been a site coordinator?
This is my third year.
What is your favorite memory from Upward Bound?
There are so many…one of the funniest is when we were in Branson at some 50s diner where the wait staff sing and perform. There was one performer there that was particularly interested in trying to make our young ladies blush (which he did). It was hysterical!!
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
In a nut shell, I wanted to help.
What is your favorite spring time activity?
Hammocking (does that count as an “activity”?).
What is one thing all Upward Bound students should know?
The benefits of being an Upward Bound student are many. That being said, you will get as much benefit from the program as the effort YOU PUT INTO IT!
Describe yourself in one word:
Complex.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A world traveler.
Jen Simmons: Central
How long have you been a site coordinator?
I started just this year after Ms. Scholl left… August 2009! What is your favorite memory from Upward Bound?
I think it was watching the white elephant gift exchange, and eagerly awaiting the opening of the “special” gift…. That might have come from a site coordinator’s purse. Why did you decide to become a counselor?
To have summers off….. Kidding! Because it felt like a good fit with who I am and what I care about…. I worked as a Graduate Assistant at the MSU Counseling and Testing Center and loved the combination of being a counselor in an academic setting! What is your favorite spring time activity?
Bonfires and BBQs! What is one thing all Upward Bound students should know?
How to advocate for themselves and that Ms. Simmons is probably the coolest red headed counselor. Ever. Describe yourself in one word:
Quirky. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Self actualized, or an ice cream truck driver.
Thank you, Site Coordinators, for being a part of Upward Bound!

Page #

The TRIO

Volume 5, Issue 2

TRIO Upward Bound
Missouri State University

Freudenberger House Lower West Level
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
Phone: 417-836-4324 / 417-836-3117
Fax: 417-836-6106
E-mail: upwardbound@missouristate.edu

New Opportunities, New Horizons.

We’re on the Web:
www.missouristate.edu/upwardbound
Find us on Facebook!

April’s Corner - Staying Organized

I am not a neat person. Sometimes, people think I am because I do stay pretty organized in school and work, but at home it's a different story. I try really hard to stay organized at school because I know that it will help me succeed. I wanted to share some advice with all of you on what organization techniques work for me. You might try setting aside a "school zone" in your house where you keep all things academic. This really helps me when it's time to go and I need to find my textbook - I already know where it is! How about using separate bags for school supplies and personal items? This way, you won't accidentally pull out Chapstick when you are looking for a pen. Label your folders with the subject name/ class meeting time/ pictures/ or whatever works best for you. I used to have a system where each subject had it's own color: Science was blue, Math was red, etc. It might help, also, to keep separate folders for current/upcoming homework assignments and completed/returned assignments. One of my favorite tools I use for school is bookmarks. I use tons of bookmarks: to mark my place in textbooks or to note interesting or confusing sections. I like to use post it notes because I can write on them and stick them to different locations on the page for reference. Again, color coordinated post-its are very helpful.
Last, keep a calendar on the wall where you can glance at it any time. It really isn't fun to have to dig around in a pile of paper just to know the date of a test, so keep it handy. I hope that helps. What are some of your tips for staying organized?
-April