Upward Bound Seniors Claim Accolades

VALDOSTA -- Seniors in Valdosta State University’s Upward Program were recently recognized during an awards banquet highlighting academic success.

These 20 Valdosta High School students have exhibited both commitment and diligence during their time in the program, which fosters academic achievement and personal growth. Last fall, seniors celebrated a 100 percent pass rate for the Georgia High School Graduation Test, and now they prepare for life's next chapter -- higher education.

The program, funded by a $1 million TRIO grant from the Department of Education, helps local college-bound students in ninth through 12th grade develop the skills and motivation necessary to succeed beyond high school. Seniors have dedicated time during the last two years to attending afterschool study sessions and Saturday learning sessions with Upward Bound tutors and advisors. Students not only covered themes in math, science and literature, but also focused on preparing for future challenges like the SAT, ACT and GHSGT.

Upward Bound students faced an accelerated program this year, with four study sessions per week and two Saturday academies each month. Many were also enrolled in honor courses and engaged in the demanding new International Baccalaureate curriculum at Valdosta High. 
The list of accolades, scholarships and college acceptance announcements is evidence that challenges and rigorous coursework did not stop this diligent group.

Call the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs at 229-333-5463 for more information about this and other programs.

Academic Awards
Highest GPA
Kameron Copeland and Latressa Jones

Highest SAT
Latressa Jones

Highest ACT
Kameron Copeland

Accepted College Tour Challenge
Tristan Wilson

Most College Acceptance
Ron Carter, Kameron Copeland and Marlana Jones

Higher Education Readiness
Kameron Copeland and Ron Carter

Best All Around
Porscha Berrian

Most Improved
Devione Linder, Ranisha Smith and Malysa Jones

Leadership Award
Gareyl Davis and Bernotta Gipson

Spirit Award
Remone Durr, Jasmine Johnson and Ashley Christopher

Trailblazer Award
Eric Vinson, Samantha Mathis, & Ryan Brinson

Work Ethics to Career Award
Jonathan Gray & Tiara Jenkins


Scholarships
Catherine Mathis Legacy Scholarship
Ashley Patterson

2010 Georgia Scholar for Horatio Alger Scholarship
Bernotta Gipson


College Acceptance
Porscha Berrian
Valdosta State University

Ryan Brinson
South Georgia College Entry Program

Ronald Carter, Jr.
Florida Memorial University, Emmanuel College and Valdosta State University

Ashley Christopher
Albany State University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Kameron Copeland
Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University and Rutgers University

Gareyl Davis
South Georgia College Entry Program

Remone Durr
Valencia College and South Georgia College Entry Program

Bernotta Gipson
Valdosta State University

Jonathan Gray
Darton College and South Georgia College Entry Program

Tiara Jenkins
Valdosta State University and Valdosta Technical College

Jasmine Johnson
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and South Georgia College Entry Program

Latressa Jones
University of Georgia and Valdosta State University

Malysa Jones
Valdosta State University

Marlana Jones
Armstrong Atlantic State University, Augusta State University and Valdosta State University

Devione Linder
Bethune-Cookman and Valdosta State University

Samantha Mathis
Valdosta State University

Ashley Patterson
Valdosta State University

Ranisha Smith
Valdosta State University

Eric Vinson
Albany State University

Tristan Wilson
Georgia Southern University