Upward Bound Summer Session 2021

High school students participate in various activities to prepare for college

TRIO/Upward Bound (UB) students at Dakota County Technical College are enjoying a busy summer learning more about a range of academic and career options they can pursue after graduating from high school. The students are taking part in the 2021 Upward Bound Summer Session, which is a six-week continuation of UB after-school programs provided throughout the academic year.

A motivational program based on academics, Upward Bound assists high school students with graduation requirements while preparing them for enrollment in and eventual completion of postsecondary education. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored by Dakota County Technical College, Upward Bound serves 50 students in grades 9–12 from Henry Sibley and South St. Paul high schools and 60 students from Burnsville High School.

TRIO/Upward Bound accepts students who:

Best conform to the program’s federal income guidelines
Are first-generation in the family to attend college
Have potential for success in a college program of study

All qualified students are encouraged to apply. Applications are available through high school guidance offices. You can also follow the link below to get started:

UPWARD BOUND APPLICATION

More about the UB Summer Session 2021…

Caitlin Siefkes serves as director of TRIO/Upward Bound at DCTC. Caitlin reported that this year’s UB Summer Session is a hybrid of online and in-person activities and learning experiences.

“Our students had one week of online classes in English, Math and Science based on their grades in the 2021–2022 school year,” she said. “The students also all completed a week-long Virtual Village offered by Concordia Language Villages. Most students took Korean, but a handful also took Arabic.”

Caitlin added that the UB students visited a number of college campuses, including the University of Minnesota, Augsburg University, Winona State University and the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. All summer-session students take two weeks of classes on the DCTC campus, continuing the courses they started online.

“We also visited the Science Museum of Minnesota to learn about careers in STEM and museum studies,” she said. “Our students went on canoeing trips in four separate groups at the Voyageur Outward Bound School.”

More about TRIO/Upward Bound

Federal TRIO educational opportunity outreach programs support and motivate low-income, first-generation college students as well as students with disabilities to navigate academic environments from middle school to postgraduate programs. The goal of Federal TRIO programs is to increase the percentage of low-income and first generation college students who successfully pursue postsecondary education opportunities.

Upward Bound provides academic and personal support and guidance to help qualifying high school students get to college. First generation college students, participants have college potential, but lack awareness of the many academic and career options possible after high school. The Upward Bound program at DCTC closes that gap.

Part of the family of Federal TRIO programs, Upward Bound is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO programs ensure equal educational opportunities for all students by providing skills and information needed to overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.

LEARN MORE…

Summer session

During the six-week summer session, Upward Bound provides academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition/literature, foreign culture and languages.

Other services may include some or all of the following:

Assistance in college searches and campus visits to gain information on postsecondary education opportunities

Career visits to business, industry, medicine, publishing and so forth to expose participants about careers requiring a postsecondary degree

Cultural enrichment activities

Other opportunities to help students grow and become more motivated to succeed, such as leadership conferences as well as occasional overnight and multi-day trip

Ice cream truck visit

On Friday afternoon, July 23, 2021, Upward Bound students took a break from their studies to enjoy cold treats delivered to the DCTC campus by the Milk Mart Ice Cream Truck. UB advisors along with Caitlin Siefkes and other DCTC staff joined in the fun.

Ice cream truck gallery

Upward Bound student perspectives…

Salem Yebyo

Age: 16
Hometown: South St. Paul, Minnesota
Current residence: South St. Paul, Minnesota
High school and year graduating: South St. Paul Secondary Class of 2022
Extracurricular activities at your high school: Basketball, track, Black Pride Organization (BPO)
College or university plans: Loyola University Chicago to study biology and forensics
Career plans: Forensic biologist
Pastimes and hobbies: Violin, skateboarding
Family (including pets): My parents, four older brothers, one younger sister

Three words that describe you as an Upward Bound student:
RESOURCEFUL. BALANCED. CARING.

Salem Yebyo • Q & A

What do you like best about Upward Bound?
The preparation you go through to feel ready in either ACT testing, classes or college, as well as making so many friends.

How has Upward Bound prepared you for college?
Upward Bound made it easier by guiding me through college searches or tours.

What advice would you give students thinking about enrolling in Upward Bound?
Upward Bound’s a great opportunity to learn more about college and the preparation for college—especially if you don’t have a family member who went to college.

What have you enjoyed most about the UB Summer Session?
I enjoyed the college tours the most. They really went in depth about each of the schools and of why or why not you may want to go there.

Salem Yebyo • 12 Answers

Favorite sport or physical activity: Basketball
Place you would most like to visit: Eritrea
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Going on the Skydeck [Willis Tower] in Chicago
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: One Piece
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Invest 2) Save for retirement 3) Give back to parents and family
Time period you would explore if you could time travel: Greece in the 1600s
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: To be successful, as well as happy with what I have done to be successful
Your national bird if you were your own country: Dodo bird
Dream occupation: Forensic biologist
Person you would most like to meet: Frank Ocean
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Learning multiple languages
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: How people view others—could be racism or stereotypes

Aalunya Teso

Age: 17
Hometown: Savage, Minnesota
Current residence: Savage, Minnesota
High school and year graduating: Burnsville High School 2022
Extracurricular activities at your high school: Emerging Leaders of Color
College or university plans (school and major): University of Minnesota–Rochester to study chemistry
Career plans: Pharmacy field
Pastimes and hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, cooking, drawing
Family (including pets): Father, Phalang, mother, Phonechanh Manikhong, younger sister, Aaliyana, younger brother, Tayva

Three words that describe you as an Upward Bound student:
PASSIONATE. HARDWORKING. LEADER.

Aalunya Teso • Q & A

What do you like best about Upward Bound?
The best part about Upward Bound is that we get to interact with different types of people since the students from Upward Bound tend to come from very different backgrounds even though we might share similar experiences.

How has Upward Bound prepared you for college?
Upward Bound has prepared me for college by teaching me about information on scholarships and applying to college while also showing me around college campuses. My parents did not go to college, which puts pressure on me since I would be the first one in my family to go to college.

However, Upward Bound has provided me the resources and support I need in order to be successful in college. In addition, by going on college visits, I’m able to fully immerse myself in the college and find the best fit for me.

What advice would you give students thinking about enrolling in Upward Bound?
One piece of advice I would give students that are thinking about enrolling in Upward Bound is to don’t feel afraid about not fitting in. At the beginning of Upward Bound, I didn’t know many people that were in the program, and on top of that, I was shy and very introverted.

However, Upward Bound has helped me feel more confident in myself and helped me interact with different types of people of different ages.

What have you enjoyed most about the UB Summer Session?
The thing I enjoyed the most about Upward Bound’s Summer Session is visiting different college campuses and possibly living on campus for a bit. Before COVID, Upward Bound let us stay at the University of Minnesota–Duluth for a week, which gave me a better idea of college life. During that time, we would live in the dorms with a roommate and experience living away from home.

Aalunya Teso • 12 Answers

Favorite sport or physical activity: Badminton
Place you would most like to visit: Bora Bora
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Wolfridge Ropes Course
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Start a pharmacy company 2) Buy a house 3) Save some of the money for emergencies and for my younger siblings college expenses
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Once Upon A Time
Time period you would explore if you could time travel: Renaissance period
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Provide a stable home for my family
Your national bird if you were your own country: Peregrine falcon
Dream occupation: Pharmacist
Person you would most like to meet: Dylan O’Brien
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Critical thinking
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Racial discrimination

Vantana Oul

Age: 18
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Current residence: Burnsville, Minnesota
High school and year graduating: Burnsville, Class of 2022
Extracurricular activities at your high school: College Possible, volunteering, Link Leader, BSU
College or university plans (school and major): Schools under consideration: University of Minnesota Mankato, Augsburg University, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, University of St. Thomas, University of Minnesota Twin cities to study psychology, law and criminology
Career plans: Fields of psychology, law and criminology
Pastimes and hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening ( I love plants), cooking and baking, spiritual practice
Family (including pets): Dad, Phanna Ouk, older sister, Ratana Ouk, younger sister, Manysa Oul

Three words that describe you as an Upward Bound student:
ENGAGING. COMMUNICATOR. DETERMINED.

Vantana Oul • Q & A

What do you like best about Upward Bound?
Something that I like best about Upward Bound is the community that we build. A safe environment that allows all students to engage in learning experiences and be comfortable with one another.

Upward Bound also provides me with resources that I need to be a successful student from academic to personal growth especially because all the staff and members take mental health and well-being into consideration and provide me with the support that I need.

How has Upward Bound prepared you for college?
Regarding to college preparation, Upward Bound provides me with the resources and all the supports that I need before starting the process of applying for college. From my freshmen year to the summer before my senior year, Upward Bound introduced me to many different opportunities and resources that can be found at different colleges in and out of state.

In the summer of 2021, we toured many different colleges around the area, and with this experience, I was able to grasp the idea I had for myself for the future that I wanted to achieve in higher education. And having these amazing opportunities in my hand allows me to get a head start on what I need to do in order to confidently step forward and move on to the next chapter of my life and have a smooth transition from high school to college.

What advice would you give students thinking about enrolling in Upward Bound?
First, I decided to join Upward Bound because I saw it as an opportunity to be more educated about topics regarding postsecondary schooling as a first-generation student and a person of color. Especially the resources, guidelines and supports that I could rely on in order to accomplish my academic goals.

And my advice for everyone who is interested in enrolling in Upward Bound is to NOT be afraid of putting yourself out there and explore all the opportunities there are that the school has to offer and being involved in something that offers you reliability and assurance that you could possibly take to your advantage.

A place where you can fully express your true authentic self without a sense of guilt or discomfort. You want to surround yourself with an environment where you feel like you fully belong there, that your existence is valid and your choice is respected.

Choose to surround yourself with amazing, positive, and high-vibrational people because instead of pushing you down, they lift you up and constantly push you to become a better version of yourself each and every single day.

What have you enjoyed most about the UB Summer Session?
Something that I enjoyed most about the UB Summer Session is the opportunity to tour different colleges around the area. And the reason why this stood out to me the most is that I got a chance to take a closer look at what suits or fits me best in terms of the school environment and understanding what each school has to offer to their students, especially their resources to help students be successful in their academic goal.

And the best part about the campus visit is being able to engage with other Upward Bound students, including the upcoming students and being able to reconnect with one another after years of being stuck at home and having little to no social interaction.

Vantana Oul • 12 Answers

Favorite sport or physical activity: Swimming and badminton
Places you would most like to visit: Japan, Bali, Hawaii, Italy
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Visiting a temple on top of the mountain and surrounding myself in nature
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy a flight ticket to Cambodia and visit my mom 2) Pay for my tuition (when I go to college) 3) Purchase my own house and helping out my parents with their financial situation
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: Criminal Minds and I Told Sunset About You
The time period you would explore if you could time travel: Classic period or Khmer Empire (lasted from the early 9th century to the early 15th century)
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Peace
Dream occupation: Lawyer or clinical psychologist
Your national bird if you were your own country: Korean crow-tit
The person you would most like to meet: My mom and Felix from Stray Kids
The skill you would most like to learn and master: Ability to read people
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Racial discrimination, social justice, poverty, climate change, starvation

Aiyana Taipe

Age: 15
Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
Current residence: Burnsville, Minnesota
High school and year graduating: Burnsville, Class of 2023
Extracurricular activities at your high school: Brainpower in a Backpack, Giving Garden
College or university plans (school and major): Perhaps University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Carleton College, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona to study interior design and planning
Career plans: Interior design and architecture
Pastimes and hobbies: Chess, band, choir, videogames, patrol, ambassador’s, volunteering children
Family (including pets): Mom, Dad, and my dog, Bella

Three words that describe you as an Upward Bound student:
OPTIMISTIC. THOUGHTFUL. UNIQUE.

Aiyana Taipe • Q & A

What do you like best about Upward Bound?
I was able to make friends in Upward Bound. I thought I wasn’t able too make friends, but I’m glad I did.

How has Upward Bound prepared you for college?
Upward Bound has helped me prepare for college by understanding the different sides of college you don’t usually know about. Understanding the concept of what you want to be when you grow up is a key factor.

What advice would you give students thinking about enrolling in Upward Bound?
Start planning ahead. Upward Bound is enjoyable! You can makes friends and experience the college life!

What have you enjoyed most about the UB Summer Session?
What I enjoyed the most about UB Summer Session is to get along with everyone.

Aiyana Taipe • 12 Answers

Favorite sport or physical activity: Dancing
Places you would most like to visit: Tokyo, Japan, or Lima, Peru
The most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Making connections with people that I relate to so much now
Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Spend lots on nice outfits 2) Buy videogames 3) Save up for the future
Favorite TV show you’re watching now: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Time period you would explore if you could time travel: 1980s
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Being able to live a comfortable life
Your national bird if you were your own country: Andean cock-of-the-rock
Dream occupation: Architect
Person you would most like to meet: Adore Delano
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Karate
Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Everyone being different

Learn more about TRIO/Upward Bound at DCTC by contacting:

Caitlin Siefkes
Director of TRIO/Upward Bound
651-423-8463

Upward Bound Summer Session 2021

High school students participate in various activities to prepare for college