Headed for college, thanks to Upward Bound
Paris Scott has an encouraging family. But it was the help she received through the Tulane University Upward Bound program that propelled her from the ranks of average students to class valedictorian at Warren Easton High School in New Orleans.
Paris Scott, a Tulane Upward Bound participant, is on her way to college, the first member of her family to do so. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
Tulane Upward Bound participants are offered opportunities to attend workshops on stress management, time management, SAT preparation and the college application process. Students also are encouraged to take summer classes at Tulane to earn college credits.
Scott says she not only took advantage of Upward Bound activities, but also participated in Tulane's Summer Transition Program, which similarly caters to disadvantaged high school students from the Greater New Orleans area.
“Everyone was so encouraging. I don't know if I could have gotten this far without them,” said Scott, who will attend Louisiana State University this fall. “I've been a part of Upward Bound since 10th grade. My classmates are my friends. My teachers are like family.”
Scott, 17, is the first in her family to attend college. She says that she had a lot to learn about the whole college application process.
“Applying to college was a new thing for me and my family,” says Scott. “There was a lot to figure out regarding the application process and the financial aid process.”
Upward Bound is a federally funded program designed to provide academic support to first-generation college students from low-income families. The Tulane program, run by the Center for Public Service, recently announced that the program has received a five-year cycle of funding for the third time.
