High School Students + Upward Bound = College Success

Back row (left to right): Tushua Vue, TongSo Vue, Carissa Schieffer, Muna Mohamed, Nick Dempsey, Tyler Michienzi Front row (left to right): Breanna Walden, Tierra Tako, Breanna Olson, Rebeccah Cerny, Mary Boles, Mike Lanoue

All 14 TRiO students continue on to higher education

Students in Dakota County Technical College’s TRiO Upward Bound program are seeing their hard work pay off, literally. Five students were honored with scholarships during a TRiO banquet at South Saint Paul High School earlier this month. Thirteen of the TRiO participants, which were high school seniors, have been accepted by various four-year colleges and universities.

“Our TRiO students worked very hard and each and every one of them earned their achievements,” said Dora Schumacher, TRiO Director at DCTC. “My team and I couldn’t be more pleased with their success.”

Upward Bound is a program within the family of federally-funded TRiO programs. TRiO began in the 1960’s to provide equal access for all students to higher education. “The program is designed to make college a possibility for students who otherwise didn’t think it was a possibility, whether it’s because their parents didn’t go to college or they fear that it’s too expensive,” said Schumacher.

Students go through a rigorous application process and must receive referrals from teachers or guidance counselors. “We take students who have the potential to be successful in college,” said Schumacher. “They must be motivated, willing to take advice, show up for meetings, and do homework.” DCTC recruits students from South Saint Paul High School and Henry Sibley High School, as early as the 8th grade. Advisors teach the students study skills, help them practice for the ACT exam, take them on college campus visits, and assist with their scholarship applications.

“It’s huge for the students to get scholarships. Basically, any of them can go to a college of their choice, get opportunities to study abroad and not have to try to work full-time while they are in college, which is an incredibly difficult balance,” said Matt Kruger, TRiO/Upward Bound Advisor. “If they are able to focus on their studies, they are much more likely to graduate college in four years, get the degree, and move onto a professional career.”

College acceptance isn’t the end of the line. Advisors track their TRiO students six years after they graduate high school, with the intent that they will graduate college within that time frame.

The following TRiO/Upward Bound students are 2012 graduates:

Mary Boles | South Saint Paul High School

• South Saint Paul Educational Foundation (SSPEF) Scholarship – $1,000
• Attending Hamline University

Rebeccah Cerny | South Saint Paul High School

• CSSyes Scholarship
  • Full tuition, includes Benedictine Scholarship, and state grant and federal grant funding
  • Four-year renewal to cover each year of your undergraduate degree
  • Scholarship stacking, allowing other scholarships to cover room, board and books
  • Students are eligible to apply if they meet income guidelines, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, earn a minimum score of 20 on the ACT, are U.S. citizens, and are Minnesota residents
• SSPEF Mizpah Masonic Lodge #191 Scholarship – $1,500
• Attending the College of St. Scholastica

Henry Chiu | South Saint Paul High School

• SSPEF Burnham Scholarship – $20,000 ($5,000/year, renewable for four years)
• Attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Muna Mohamed | South Saint Paul High School

• Dell Scholarship
  • $20,000 to complete higher education over the course of six years
  • technology (computer and printer), a private scholar networking community, resources, and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to achieve their college degrees
• SSPEF Dale and Bette Schenian Scholarship – $2,000
• Attending Augsburg College

Breanna Olson | South Saint Paul High School

• SSPEF Burnham Scholarship – $20,000 ($5,000/year, renewable for four years)
• Horatio Alger Association Minnesota Scholarship – $5,000
• South Saint Paul Teachers Federation Scholarship – $2,000
• Pohlad Scholarship – $2,000
• Attending St. Olaf College

Michael Johannsen | South Saint Paul High School

• Attending University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Mike Lanoue | South Saint Paul High School

• Attending St. Cloud State University

Nick Dempsey | Henry Sibley High School

• Attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Tyler Michienzi | Henry Sibley High School

• Dollars for Scholars Scholarship – $400
• Attending Bemidji State University

Carissa Schieffer | Henry Sibley High School

• Dollars for Scholars Scholarship – $500
• Attending Winona State University

Tierra Tako | Henry Sibley High School

• Dollars for Scholars Scholarship – $500
• Attending Hamline University

TongSo Vue | Henry Sibley High School

• West Saint Paul Commercial Club Scholarship – $500
• Attending Century College

Tushua Vue | Henry Sibley High School

• Attending Century College

Breanna Walden | Henry Sibley High School

• Dollars for Scholars Scholarship – $500
• Attending Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota