High school students from Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Pendleton and Pocahontas counties participated in the Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound Classic Summer Program, June 5 through July 1.
“The pandemic required students to work remotely the last few years, but D&E Upward Bound was glad to be ‘Back In Class,’ as their summer T-shirts noted,” said Director of the Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound TRIO programs Carol Suder-Howes.
During the session, students studied various subjects including physics, mathematics, composition, literature, financial literacy, robotics, technology, life skills and foreign language. Upward Bound students also have been exposed to a variety of cultural and wellness classes and have had numerous learning experiences outside of the classroom with community service, career and college awareness opportunities as well.
The session concluded with an academic awards program honoring students who excelled in various classes. The awards were presented during a luncheon attended by the students’ families.
Recognized for outstanding academic performance were Academic All-Stars – Erin Chambers, a student at Tucker County High School and Sabina Leyzorek, a student at Pocahontas County High School; physics – Tim Conti, Tygarts Valley High School; Joclyne Souza, Pendleton County High School; Kennize Moore, TVHS; and Marissa Sines, Philip Barbour High School; math – McKenna Bennett, PBHS; Rowan Witt, Pendleton County High School; Brenden Lewis, Harman High School; and Hannah Cussins, TCHS; composition and literature – Caressa Waybright, Elkins High School; Lexee Shearer, EHS; Marissa Mallow, EHS; and Charlie Brown, EHS; financial literacy and life skills – Carlee White, HHS; Emily Loftis, Pocahontas County High School; Dakota Reedy, HHS; and Katlyn Simmons, Pocahontas County High School; technology – Bella Bauserman, Pocahontas County High School; Traves Lewis, Pocahontas County High School; Gage Sites-Woods; and Josiah Hohl, EHS; robotics – Kaylee Jennings, TCHS; German – Aaron Mabry, EHS; Jasmine Mallow, EHS; Hayden Shaver, PBHS; and Cheyenne Kittle, PBHS; College 101 – Landan Mason, Pendleton County High School.
Recognized for perfect participation were Abby Arbogast, McKenna Bennett, Jillian Bolton, Erin Chambers, Sarah Chambers, Tim Conti, Elizabeth Dalton, Destiny Eldridge, Elizabeth Gonshor, Mikey Gonzalez, Madison Harlan, Selena Hedrick, Jesslyn Hogston, Josiah Hohl, Kaylee Jennings, Krysten Jones, Joseph Kittle, Brenden Lewis, Sabina Leyzorek, Emily Loftis, Aaron Mabry, Landan Mason, Faith Nelson, Chole Roudebush, Hayden Shaver, Lexee Shearer, Madison Short, Marissa Sines, Katelyn Tompkins, Karly VanMeter, Caressa Waybright and Rowan Witt.
As a reward, the students traveled to Pittsburgh for cultural explorations.
The Upward Bound program, 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a federal TRiO program dedicated to assisting qualifying, first-generation Appalachian high school students in their transition from high school to college. For additional information, visit deupwardbound.org/ or call 304-637-1989.