1

Senior Edition!

The Edge:

A Publication

of Upward Bound

June 2013

Class of 2013, I have to start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS for a job very well done this year. You have exceeded all my expectations and I am honored to have had the opportunity to play a small roll in your journey towards success. Many of you I have known since your freshman or sophomore year. Each year that has passed, I have seen you grow, mature, and flourish into young adults, ready and capable of moving on to the next phase in your lives: college. While it is very hard for me to imagine next year without seeing all your smil-ing faces at College Prep, I am excited to know that you will be sitting in a college classroom, advancing your education and becoming the prosperous adults that will change this world. I have no doubt there will be some great doctors, engineers, nurses, and educators coming from the class of 2013! Like I said, it is very hard to say goodbye to you all, so I won’t. Instead of “goodbye”, this is my “see you later” because I hope the impact Upward Bound has had in your lives continues beyond your high school years. We will miss you and always remember we are just a phone call away! Best of luck,

Mrs. Gonzales

Staff Farewell Notes

Congratulations Class of 2013! I don’t believe I can fully express how proud I am of each one of you. You have all not only reached a mile-stone in life, but have persevered seamlessly through numerous obstacles placed in your way. Be sure to enjoy this moment, you have worked hard and deserve the attention and praise coming your way.

Philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca said “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Be

prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. College and life will be different

from here on out, but it is nothing your families and we have not prepared you for. Continue to learn every

day, get involved, stay busy, and take risks. Never be afraid of making a mistake; look at it as a learning

opportunity. Enjoy and laugh at the bumps in the road you may face; don’t allow them to bring you down.

I have a great deal of faith in this class that you will reach your goals, become successful in your own way,

and do it all with style and grace. I want to thank you for being such an amazing class; I could not have asked

for a better first year with this program. You all have taught me a lot and I hope I have been able to impact

you in some way as well. Remember we are a family unit and you can always reach out to any of us if you

need a hand in the future. Congratulations once again and best wishes!

Ms. Paiz

2

Dear Class of 2013, Congratulations on all of your wonderful achievements! You have worked very hard over the past four years and I join you in this season of celebration. Thank you so much for welcoming me into the Upward Bound family and for being so kind. Although Texas is a long way from my home state of Michigan, you all have made Texas feel more and more like home. You each have so much potential and I’m very excited to see you continue to achieve your goals. Please know that your college professors and advisors will become some of your biggest advocates and supporters. If you encounter a situation in which a professor or advisor is attempting to discourage you from achieving your dreams, find a different professor or advisor who is supportive. Also, be sure to join one or two student organizations on campus, even if you are a commuter. The experiences that you will obtain through campus involvement will enrich your college experience. I’m very proud of you all! Please keep in touch! All the best in your future endeavors,

Ms. Tigney

Congratulations seniors! Although I haven’t been here long, it doesn’t take long to see the

incredible potential that you each have. You each have been uniquely gifted to make your

own special impact on this world. I have enjoyed the conversations and interactions that I’ve

had with you all and my only regret is that I don’t have more time to get to know each of

you! I’m so proud of the accomplishments that you have each achieved and the hard work

and dedication that has brought you where you are today!

Howard Thurman, civil rights leader, once said, ““Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come

alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” My hope for each of you

is that you will be able to discover what makes you come alive and that you will pursue those passions!

Always remember that you are capable, valued, and you will always have your UB family cheering you on!

Ms. Hays

“Leap, and the net will appear.” - John Burroughs

To Our 2013 Graduates, Sometimes in life you come across a person, or group of people, that leave an ever-lasting impact on you, just as each of you have done to me. You all are an amazingly special group of young people that have the world at their fingertips and I am exceedingly proud of the accomplishments you all have achieved so far in life. Graduating from high school is the first of many life-changing events; the first of many milestones you each will experience and there are many more wondrous and exciting adventures you will embark on. The journey through life will be filled with bumps, dips, and times that will make you want to throw your hands up and quit, but I assure you all that at the end of those struggles is a reward well worth the effort put into receiving it. You all have the skills and passion to succeed; now take them and make the brightest futures for yourselves as possible. Always try to focus on the positive, smile even when times are tough, and remember that, though you may not be with us, we are never far if ever you need anything. Best wishes,

Ms. Skaggs

3

Dear Graduating Seniors, You made it! You have come to the end of one chapter in your life and are about to begin a new and exciting chapter. Your college days will be the beginning of your life as an adult. This will be a world full of fun, learn-ing, growing and also hard work. Getting into college and making it all the way through is one of the most important things you will ever do. Never forget that education is your door to success and perseverance is your best friend. Even when you feel like it is too difficult to get through the semester you must persevere and do your very best. It will be worth it in the long run. You will look back on your life and be thankful that you gave it your all and you made it through. Congratulations to all of you and may you be blessed in all that you strive to do.

Ms. Rivette

As another year closes, I reflect on my feelings each year as you embark upon the next phase of your life. It is with mixed emotions of joy, sadness, and pride as you leave Upward Bound. You have met the first accomplishment in your educational journey and I know there are many more accomplishments in your fu-ture. I am so proud of how much you have matured and all of the many life lessons you have learned. You are all capable of great success. It has been an honor to watch you grow, develop, and leave to become all that I know you will. Most of all, be proud of yourself. Chase your dreams with vigor and a good attitude and know that the Upward Bound staff will always be there for you. Please stay in touch…..we miss you already.

Mrs. Cates

“Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.” -Bo Jackson

We would like to send a special thank you to

Dr. Steve Head & Dr. Bennie Lambert

for their outstanding support and dedication to the Upward Bound program.

Without their support, none of this would be

possible!

4

Yesha Benjamin

College attending this fall: Stephen F. Austin State University Major: Child & Family Develop-ment

Favorite UB Memory: When we went to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi & it was raining, but we went & did the scavenger hunt anyway.

Jesse Cantu

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Computer Engineering Favorite UB Memory: The visit to El Paso because I met so many new people and I really enjoyed it.

Felix Borjas

College attending this fall: Texas A&M University Major: Engineering Favorite UB Memory: The Chicago trip last summer.

Alexy Banda

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Criminal Justice Favorite UB Memory: The last luncheon when the advisors came & going to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi & playing a scavenger hunt in the rain.

Aidee Chaverria

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Social Work

Favorite UB Memory: Going

to Chicago and flying on an

airplane for the first time.

Fernando Castellanos

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Architecture Favorite UB Memory: Spending time with Ms. Paiz

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. -Thomas Paine

Jesus Badillo

College attending this fall: University of Houston Major: Engineering Favorite UB memory: Getting on a plane for the first time & landing in Chicago.

Valencia De La Cerda

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Nursing Favorite UB Memory: The scavenger hunt at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi when it was pouring down rain & we were still running everywhere.

5

Rachel Garcia

College attending this fall: Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi Major: Marine Biology Favorite UB Memory: Sum-mer trip to Chicago.

Zachary Lee

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: History Favorite UB Memory: Everything.

Jocelyn Hernandez

College attending this fall: Lone Star College- North Har-ris Major: Biology

Favorite UB Memory: The

summer trip to Chicago. It was

my first experience riding an air-

plane.

Daniel Gonzales

College attending this Fall: Texas State University Major: Business Favorite UB Memory: When we went to Kemah, rode the “Beast” & went home all wet.

James Ervin

College attending this fall: Lamar University Major: Undecided Favorite UB Memory: All of it—just being involved.

Aaliyah Holiday

College attending this fall: University of North Texas Major: Social Work Favorite UB Memory: Personal conversations with my advisor.

Colby Harris

College attending this fall: Stephen F. Austin State Major: Math Favorite UB Memory: That time when I met the UB advisors. I grew to love each one of them.

“In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.” -Nikos Kazantzakis

Becky Deluna

College attending this fall: Sam Houston State University Major: Biology

Favorite UB Memory: When

we went to Chicago.

6

Alexis Lugo

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Undecided

Eric Martinez

College attending this fall: Blinn College Major: Undecided

Favorite UB Memory: Texas

A&M-Corpus Christi Scaven-

ger Hunt.

Martha Martinez

College attending this fall: Lone Star College- North Harris Major: Business Favorite UB Memory: All the moments I spent with my UB family.

Mark Molina

College attending the fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Undecided Favorite UB Memory: Meet-ing new people, new friends.

Asucena Ochoa

College attending this fall: Texas A&M University Major: Animal Science Favorite UB Memory: Going through the college applica-tion process & the leadership conferences.

Adam Ojeda

College attending this fall: University of Houston Major: Accounting Favorite UB Memory: Chicago summer trip.

Lady Rios

College attending this fall: Sam Houston State University Major: Criminal Justice Favorite UB Memory: All the times spent with my UB family

Raul Saucedo

College attending this fall: Texas A&M University Major: Biological Engineering Favorite UB Memory: Going to the POSSE Scholarship Foundation & making my own “Posse” with Benito & Jesus.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” -Walt Disney

7

Benito Soto

College attending this fall: Texas A&M University Major: Civil Engineering Favorite UB Memory: The excitement I felt when the air-plane took off to Chicago...I couldn't help it, I had a smile.

Mayda Vazquez

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Har-ris Major: Biology Favorite UB Memory: Going to Chicago.

Tom Thoi

College attending this Fall: Stephen F. Austin University Major: Undecided Favorite UB Memory: UB Bowl

Rachel Verdeja

College attending this fall: University of Houston Major: Forensic Science Favorite UB Memory: I have too many to pick one!

Emily Villarreal

College attending this fall: Lone Star College-North Harris Major: Business Management Favorite UB Memory: The Texas A&M Leadership Con-ference

Iriane Warren

College attending this fall: Sam Houston State University Major: Biology Favorite UB Memory: The student conference in El Paso because I was comforted and made life-long friends.

8

Congratulations to our 4-year

Upward Bound Participants!

Jesse Cantu Mark Molina

Contact Us:

281-618-5746 Vanessa.M.Gonzales@lonestar.edu

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasona-ble confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.”

-Norman Vincent Peale