High school students opt for summer school
High school students opt for summer school
| CAPTION: Photo courtesy of Finlandia University Brenda Kilgore, Lake Linden, is a summer work/study student at Finlandia University. |
The goals of the five-week Upward Bound summer program at Finlandia University are no different.
A group of 35 high school students is on the Finlandia campus this summer experiencing the daily routines of college freshmen, including completing homework, living in dorms for the first time and meeting new people.
Nicole Ellet, assistant director of Upward Bound, says the purpose of the program is to give students a mock college experience. Students attend academically demanding daily classes to prepare them not only for their next year in school, but to get them used to the responsibilities of being on their own, she said.
“Upward Bound is dedicated to providing students with good, safe and extremely useful things to do in and out of school,” Ellet added. “The hard work doesn’t end when summer comes around, and each day is rewarded with a little bit of fun. The whole summer is an experience like no other.”
Brenda Kilgore, 2006 Lake Linden-Hubbell High School grad, completed her third and final year of the UB program this spring but decided to take part in a final summer session.
“My first summer in UB kept me working hard even when my other friends were at home. I had the chance to meet and live with new people, and gain a sort of independence from my home life. Now the program is giving me the real deal,” Kilgore said. “As a “bridge” student I am earning college credit that I can use in the fall when I attend Northern Michigan University.”
Upward Bound “bridge” students are high school graduates given the opportunity to earn college credits through Upward Bound while taking a class at Finlandia.
UB students also have the option of work-study placement through the summer program. “UB provides a safe space for kids to explore who they are and to pursue current interests and discover new ones,” explained Ellet. “We provide work/study in career fields of interest to them so they get hands-on experience while earning money.”
Students work in various places in the area, including Portage Hospital, the Community Arts Center, and the Copper Country Veterinary Clinic. Kilgore works in the communications department at Finlandia to expand her knowledge of writing and reporting.
Time during the UB summer program is not only spent in class and but also having fun and getting to know each other better, Ellet said. After a long day of studying, the evenings are full of entertainment.
“The participants take part in activities ranging from going to the beach, bowling and playing softball to tubing and visiting local historical sites,” explained Joe Zerbst, activities coordinator for the UB program.
These experiences are topped off by an Upward Bound-funded major field trip at the end of the summer program. “These aren’t short drives to Marquette, but grand unforgettable experiences for the kids,” said Zerbst, This year, the students and UB chaperones will travel to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Past field trip destinations include Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. UB summer students have seen performances of “The Lion King” on Broadway and the “Blue Man Group,” toured Warner Bros. Studios, and a enjoyed a Second City Improv performance, among many other experiences.
All of the UB summer program participants are from low-income families and/or are potential first generation college students. The grant-funded program offers its students all this in order to “give an opportunity to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity,” Zerbst concluded.
For additional information, please contact Finlandia Upward Bound Director Lee Luoto at 487-7286.
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