Northern Vermont University Lyndon Upward Bound is a federally funded program committed to providing modest-income, first generation college bound students the preparatory experiences and support needed to succeed in college. The program is currently seeking 15 students whose ambition is to obtain a four year college degree.
Each year, students are selected from 10 area high schools in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. Some of these schools include: Blue Mountain Union, Lyndon Institute, Woodsville High School, and St. Johnsbury Academy.
The program runs throughout the year, but one of the main portions is their summer program. There, students spend six weeks on the Lyndon campus of Vermont State University, where they take college preparatory courses, hold volunteer work study positions in the local community, and spend evenings engaged in a variety of activities designed to expand their educational opportunities and promote cultural and interpersonal growth in preparation for college. Upward Bound also helps students prepare for the SATs as they primarily focus on math and English for their courses. At the end of the summer program, students will be able to take PSATs in order to gain a sense of how they score and how they can improve in the future. Additionally, each summer, the entire program attends locations like New York City, Boston, Massachusetts or this summer’s adventure – White Water Rafting in Maine!
Current member, Bella Craige, describes Upward Bound as “exciting and friendship filled.”
Upward Bound isn’t all about taking courses and practicing SATs; they also offer several community service opportunities for students. Upward Bound allows students the flexibility of choice in how they want to spend this time. For example, students that are planning on graduating with a degree in nursing, in most cases, would be placed at Northeast Vermont Regional Hospital, students who want to become vets would work in a veterinarian’s office, and students who want to become teachers may work at a daycare.
Upward Bound also provides academic guidance and support to students throughout the year. While in the program, students have the opportunity to attend leadership events, college tours, and financial aid and college planning workshops.
Upward Bound is free for any eligible student; students must be in 9th or 10th grade and meet at least one of the following criteria: first generation in their family to obtain a 4 year college degree, and/or have a modest income. Some of the other current members of this program at BMU are Jessica Pinette, Audrianna Woodworth, Izabella Florentine, Zhijie Zhong, Aspen Wescott, and Ezra Woodward who is an upcoming member. Applications can be found in the guidance offices at participating high schools or by contacting the Upward Bound office at 802-626-5000.
