Upward Bound Students Honored for Outstanding Achievements

CONTACT: RODNEY ADAMS, EXT.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/20/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- It takes the right attitude to be successful in any aspect of life, Dr. Gary Burgess, principal of Pendleton High School, told a group of students and parents at Tri-County Technical College's annual Upward Bound awards banquet.

"You have the right stuff, and the sky's the limit for you," Dr. Burgess told the crowd at the 21st annual banquet honoring students participating in the College's Upward Bound program.

Upward Bound is designed to help high school students bridge the gap between secondary school and college and to provide them with financial and academic resources to prepare for postsecondary education.

The Upward Bound project, sponsored by Tri-County, serves 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders from Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. It targets those who are potential college students and gives them information and assistance concerning the college opportunities available to them.

"I'm impressed with Upward Bound," said Dr. Burgess. "Tri-County is doing the right thing to help young people to be successful, and every one of you can be successful. I am living witness that you can go farther than you ever dreamed if you keep the right attitude," said Dr. Burgess, who, himself, is a first-generation college graduate. He holds a B.A. from Wofford College, an M. Ed. and an Ed S. from Converse College, and he earned a Ed. D in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina.

In addition, he is pastor of the Universal Body of Christ Church in Inman and serves as an adjunct professor at Converse and The Citadel. He has been recognized by numerous local, state and national organizations. He was honored as the Secondary Principal of the Year for S.C. in 1997 and was named a Milliken National Educator for the 1999 – 2000 academic year. He serves on the S.C. Juvenile Parole Board and is a member of the John De La Howe Board of Trustees. He serves on Tri-County's Access and Equity Advisory Committee. Wofford College's National Alumni Association named him its Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1997, making him the first African American to receive this distinction. In 1999, Vision magazine recognized him as one of the top 25 African American influences in S.C. Last year, he was one of two principals in the nation to address the National Blue Ribbon School Ceremony held in Washington.

To qualify for admission to the Upward Bound program, students must meet the U.S. Department of Education economic guidelines and/or be potential first-generation college students (neither parent has a bachelor's degree).

Upward Bound provides academic programs (primarily on Saturdays) throughout the academic year, along with a summer program. A six-week residential summer component offering college prep classes is offered, and students are provided room and board at Clemson University. Upward Bound provides intensive instruction in skills, such as reading, public speaking, writing, math, laboratory science, and foreign language, along with academic guidance, career and personal counseling.

TRIO programs consist of Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Student Support Services and are now offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities and at 100 community agencies.

The following students from tri-county high schools were honored for their outstanding achievements:

Outstanding Achievement in English -- Jamie Baum, of Seneca.

Outstanding Achievement in Spanish -- Latisha Lomax, of Anderson.

Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics -- Nicole Johnson, of Pendleton.

Outstanding Achievement in Science -- Crystal Sanders, of Seneca.

Most Improvement in English – Jessica Scott, of Pendleton.

Most Improvement in Spanish -- Latisha Baker, of Anderson.

Most Improvement in Mathematics -- Terrance Hill, of LIberty

Most Improvement in Science -- Candice Hunter, of Anderson.

Outstanding Academic Achiever Upward Bound Bridge Component Awards (students taking University Transfer and College Prep classes) - Anastasia Brownlee, of Belton; Gail Gideon, of Seneca; Kendra Hanks, of Seneca; Amanda Hodge, of Seneca; Monique Isom, of Anderson; and Rodney Mattison, of Belton.

Upward Bound Student Government Association officers for 2000 - 2001 were: Rodney Mattison, of Belton, president; Marlon Glover, of Belton, vice president; Kashia Webb, of Pickens, secretary; and Desiree Goldsmith, of Westminster, treasurer.
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