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Message from the Coordinator Please join us in welcoming to our counseling staff, Ms. Lecia “Lety” Solor- zano, M.A., who began working with Upward Bound in December 2011! Lety comes to UB from the GEAR Up program, which has similar goals and college plans for their students. She is graduate from Coachella Valley High School, with a Master’s degree in School Counseling from University of Redlands. In her spare me, she likes to travel and spend me with family and friends. Spring 2012—Vol. 4, No. 2 -A Newsleer Highlighng Upward Bound Students and Their Academic Success Student Spotlight A “Close Up” Look at Washington, DC F or most students, Spring Break is a chance to relax and unwind before head- ing into the home stretch of the school year. But for three Up- ward Bound students, Laura C., a sophomore at DHSHS, Nereida G., sophomore at CCHS, and Courtney S., a junior at CCHS, Spring Break 2012 was an opportunity of a lifetime to explore Washington, DC with a program known as Close Up. After fundraising $1400 each to pay for their tuition, The Close Up Program chaperones lead the students to land- marks such as the Arlington Ceme- tery, the Holocaust Museum, the Vi- etnam Memorial, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. More than just a sightseeing adventure, students also participated in learning activities such as a Capital Hill Workshop and Mock Congress, one of the highlights of their visit. When asked what advice she would give to a student interested in partici- pating next year, Nereida G. says “Don't be shy about interacting with people from around the world. Be informed about what’s going in your city, actually talk during the work- shops, and speak your opinion about laws and political issues.” First Annual Alumni and Career Day Conference Highlights O n Saturday, March 31st, Upward Bound hosted the 1st Annu- al Alumni and Career Day Conference. The day started with a warm welcome from City of Coachella Mayor Edu- ardo Garcia followed by a heartfelt keynote speech from UB alum, ‘99 Christian Paiz. Six alumni shared their insights about college life during a panel discussion. A networking exercise gave students a chance to con- nect with their peers and learn proper handshake and self-introduction tech- niques. After a buffet lunch by Serrano’s Cater- ing, students chose be- tween three career presentations including 2 attorneys Hilda Zamora and Brian Harnick, a financial analyst, Sobie Maan and a graphic designer, Alex Gonzalez. The second set of sessions included social workers Rosie Ramirez and America Gar- cia, educators Dr. George Sutton and Diana De Leon, MPH, and a civil engineer Mario Zamora, PE. Many of our guest speakers were brought to us courtesy of Sylvia Juarez-Magana, (see Careers, p2) Lesyle M., Heidi , Angelita, Attorney Hilda Zamora and Nancy C. Sisters Kim S. and Eboni S. practice networking UB Alums Vanesa, Alonso, Roxana, Brenda, Avi, Alfredo and Glendy return for the Alumni panel discussion Vivi, Stephanie, Dr. Sutton, Lucy, Yareli, and UB Alum Glendy Castillo Daniel, Saul, Martin, Daisy, Nancy, Cindy, Maria N., Kevin, and UB Alum Alonso line up for lunch City of Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia receives a certificate of appreciation Courtney S., Laura C. , & Nereida G. Mrs. Solorzano
