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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
August, 2016
UB BOUNDER UB ’16 comes to an end
UB SUMMER, 2016
Seniors reflect on their experiences in influential program
Senior Reflections To Sam Hardee, Upward Bound was a learning experience in more ways than one.
Page 5 According to Lorenzo Oliver, Upward Bound had its good moments and some that were not so good.
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In other news… Emily Russell’s fifth-floor group didn't realize they were making memories, they just knew they were having fun.
Photo by “Shania” Swan
By “SHANIA” SWAN Staff Writer As both a senior and freshman at Upward Bound this year, I might have had a different experience than some other seniors, who all had a couple years of experience.
Upward Bound has brought many memories to plenty of people, and some people come back as TCs. From my experience, this is a good program. I asked other seniors for their thoughts and feelings See SENIORS page 4
Page 7 iPads were a beginning-of-the-year challenge. “Shania” Swan tells us what happened and why.
Page 4 “If plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet had 25 more letters. Stay cool!”
The bus to Maryland leaves early Tuesday morning! By MADELINE HITCHCOCK Staff Writer VESTAL — Students will be traveling to the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Harbor and Shopping Center, and Six-Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, during a two-day stint Aug. 2
See MARYLAND, page 2
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
August, 2016
UB admin team — who are they and what do they do? By SAM HARDEE Staff writer
Nick is a graduate of Binghamton University.
Now, all of you scholars know who Nick, Shaunte, and Ms. Nita are, but do you know what they really do for the program? What do they do when we are not here and what they do throughout the school year and early summer?
What did Nick mean by his comment about perceptions? He meant that Upward Bound has changed a lot over the years and that society, meaning students, need to change their perception of the program. During the school year Nick, Shaunte, and Ms. Nita all visit schools within the program to help students succeed in their home schools.
“A change in Upward Bound that I would like to see is a different perception from what it used to be to what it is now," Academic Counselor Nick Matyas stated when asked what change he would like a to see happen to the program. Nick is the Senior Academic Councilor for Upward Bound. This is his fifth year working with the UB program.
They help them with homework via tutoring. They help stuents with finding colleges, or help the students prepare for the SAT or ACT with fee waivers that each student can get. Nick, Nita, and Shaunte all help in every way they can.
No matter how much Upward Bound scholars might be struggling, ACs are there if you need help in school, if you need help with friends, and even if you need help at home. These people are here to help. So, to all of those new scholars who don't talk to them as much take advantage of them being there for you.
MARYLAND — Where we’re going and what we’re doing … continued from the cover. and 3.
Amusement park, The National Aquarium and waterfront awaits! 2
“Scholars will be waking up around 3 or 4 in the morning,” said AC Shaunté states, “There will be breakfast provided [as well].” The morning in question will be the morning of August 2nd, and students will be staying overnight at a hotel in an undisclosed location, to arrive back in Binghamton late on August 3rd. The program has also provided three charter busses for our traveling comfort. Bus 1 will be chaperoned by Ms. Nita, Bus 2 by Shaunté, and Bus 3 by Nick. TC’s will also be spread throughout the busses but their assigned places are yet to be determined. Sign-up sheets will be available during the days before the trip allowing you to sign up with your seat partner. These sheets however do not guarantee you a place on a specific numbered bus or on the bus you signed up to take. All students are permitted on the trip unless unforeseen circumstances occur, for a total of 132 students, and approximately 155 with staff. “It is going to be really fun,” Shaunté continued, “I’m very excited!”
August 2016
Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
Better late than never — iPads provide technology, but also some headaches By “SHANIA” SWAN Staff Writer Some scholars at Upward Bound didn't have iPads for almost two weeks. When TCs were questioned for this story, they didn't really know why, but some could guess. One thing scholars were told was that there were not enough iPads, which led to some more questions. Some said it was because they took on too many scholars this year. “On average, we have recruited about 135 students since I've been here,” said Shaunté Middleton, who has been associated with the program for six years. “This year we recruited about 143 scholars, but with all who've dropped out or didn't show up, we are probably at around 130 students.” In the first week and a half of the program, many scholars were still without iPads. The most talked about conclusion was that the program took on more scholars than they were prepared for. “There were different applications necessary for different classes; not all iPads had the same ones,” said Head Counselor Eric Vargas. “We had to do a total recall.” “Me and another TC had to sit down and go through all of the apps, go through a list of which iPads had specific apps,” Vargas continued. “After going through the list we took the iPads certain students needed for classes.” According to Eric, the apps scholars needed, per teacher requests, were varied and numerous. Such included camera apps, history apps, SAT coursework, and even file-sharing capability. “An easier approach would have been just to get the password and restriction code that comes from IT (Information Technology Department), the people who handle the iPads,” Eric continued. “But unfortunately we couldn't get ahold of it so we had to work with what we had.”
Above, scholar Sam Hardee sits in the third-floor, Student Wing hall, working on an iPad. Below, journalism students snap photos using iPads. Photos by “Shania” Swan
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
August, 2016
Seniors say ‘bye’ SENIORS from the cover
“Go to college, get a job, and then die when I'm eighty” Ryan stated. I asked if he wanted to die at precisely eighty years of age, but he said that he meant around eighty. “I want to go to college for acting.”
on this program. As graduates of UB, I wanted to see what they’ll take with them into the future. How have the experiences of the seniors been with UB? “It was pretty good the first and second year, this year has not been so good,” Sam Hardee said, when asked about her experiences in three years of Upward Bound. “Upward Bound is a way for some kids to get away from what their home life is.”
Photo by Morgan Mazyck
me grow as a person over the past few years.” What are your plans after UB?
“This year has been kind of calm I guess, a lot of bad stuff happened to Matt though,” Nicholas Tarbox said. “It was cool. I met some new people.”
“I plan on going to college, hopefully SUNY Oneonta,” Sam said. “I want to maybe double major in psychology and journalism.”
“For the most part it's been good. This year was a little rocky, but, yeah,” Chandlar Courtright replied. “It's a good program, and it's a good opportunity that they've given us.”
Nick said, “I want to go to SUNY Delhi, but if they're like 'NO YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH, go away' then I'll go to SUNY Oneonta, and if they are like 'NO YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH STILL' then I'll go to BCC, or CIA, not the Men in Black CIA, but the Culinary Institute of America CIA. I want to go for Culinary Arts, health and wellness, physical fitness, muscles, get the muscles, help other people get the muscles.”
“Fun. That's all. You get to meet new people, see new places,” Ryan Bruinick said. “They should let us have our phones.” “My experience with Upward Bound has been new and unique because of how different everyone in UB is,” Sabrina Nordstrom said. “It has helped
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“I plan on going to college for business, maybe,” Sabrina said.
Chandlar plans to move on with her life. “College, I don't know what major, just college, do great things.”
What is some advice to current and future scholars? “Don't get kicked out,” Sam said. “It's not hard to follow the rules, and not do stuff that you're not supposed to do.” “Don't smoke weed on the fifth floor,” Nick said. “They should be nice to people, and not to get caught sneaking out.” “Be respectful and get your work done — there is no reason you shouldn't,” Chandlar replied. “Also, be open to new friendships. Don't just close yourself off and be with one group of people.” “Don't ruin the opportunity that you've been given,” Ryan said. “Try to make friends with everyone, not just a single group of people,” Sabrina said. “Although UB is an academic program, it helps people socially as well and it's a good experience to meet new people. So, take advantage of it.”
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August 2016
Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
to Upward Bound Last words from the UB seniors’ point of view By SAM HARDEE Staff Writer The end of the Upward Bound program is coming up soon and 32 scholars out of 130 are never going to come back next year. These 32 people are the seniors. "Every senior in this program has made new friends with scholars, the tutor counselors, the academic counselors, and even some of the
teachers," said Larenzo Oliver, a senior of the program this year. As seniors, so many memories were made together with new people and with new experiences. These memories just don't go away. They will carry us throughout our whole lives. “I'm definitely going to miss hanging out with a bunch of new friends, like Keonna, and learning things ahead of time,” said Matt Scott, another senior who said he is going to miss almost everything in this program. Many of us have done some stupid things in the past, like Floor Wars,
Never Have I Ever with our TCs, immature pranks on TCs, and soaking AC Nick with buckets of water. But there are some things that the seniors would like to share with the scholars that are left after this summer. “Be respectful and know the boundaries," said Maddie Hitchcock. There are some limits to where the pranks can go. Your TCs are your superiors and can even be your friends but they are in charge of you at the same time. See HARDEE next page
Memories, like the food, can be good and bad By LORENZO OLIVER Staff Wrtier This summer concludes my final year of Upward Bound. As I leave I look back on the three years I have been here. The memories are both good and bad. From the terrible food to, especially, the friends I have made. My first year, I was so excited. I made a lot of friends. I also met a girlfriend. I got into a lot of arguments, including who would win in a death battle, Spider-Man or Batman. Honestly it was the best year of upward bound I have ever been in.
My second year was about as fun as a game of golf. Do you ever have a piece of pie that's so out of this world you have another piece, but it is terrible? Well that is exactly what happened my second year.
because I was prepared for everything. I think that the No. 1 thing that made me have a good year was that I actually chilled with my friends — my good friends. I did make new friends and I enjoyed this year because of it.
I came back I had the mentality that it would be the best year ever. Sadly, every good thing comes to an end. I had made no new friends my ex hated me and, above all, the food sucked.
The advice I would give to the new kids coming into upward bound would be to stick with your friends and make new friends as much as you can. Also, don't get stuck in your iPad because nobody wants to see you with your head down constantly. Also, don't be a loner. It’s not cool, plus you just look depressing.
Which brings us to this year. I came back with the notion that this year would suck, too. But, I am having a pretty good summer
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
August, 2016
UB: worth it in the end By MADELINE HITCHCOCK Staff Writer
she remembers meeting for the first time. “That was that. Look at us now!”
With each passing year at Upward Bound I had to say goodbye to my senior friends, but this time I have to say goodbye to my junior and sophomore friends that I have come to love over this short summer experience I shared with them.
Chandlar and I became better friends during our second year, where we fell into an amazing group of friends with whom we talk to almost every single day since the end of UB, last year. That group included six seniors and three juniors. Those seniors, who I see rarely now, were part of some of the best memories I have had.
Living in Sidney, the vast majority of the students attending Upward Bound are quite distant from me, so I always treasured getting to see these people every day; people who I would've otherwise never met. My first year here, I was very shy and nervous to be away from home, I’d often call home claiming I was sick just so I could leave. The whole college idea scared me, and I figured the less I thought about the future, the better off I would be. My first year also did not include a ton of new friends because I was so shy. However, the few I did make I am still friends with today. One of those friends was my current roommate, Chandlar Courtright.
Upward Bound gave me invaluable friendships, and uncountable opportunities to meet even more outstanding people. "I've learned that people don't take honesty very well,” says second-year scholar, Allen Doan. “And if you're honest with them they're going to tell you you suck at certain things.” Allen described his honest revaluation of people he has met, but also his friends and how much he appreciates the Upward Bound program. “[It’s going] pretty well actually, it's going great, I'm happy with the program it's pretty awesome," Doan
“You literally came up to me and said, ‘you look cool, we should be friends,’” Chandlar said when asked how
UB BOUNDER Volume III, Issue i The UB BOUNDER is the official student newsletter of Upward Bound at Binghamton University. It written by scholars for scholars, and is published as often as possible during the five-week summer program. The newsletter is the laboratory and exam for the Upward Bound journalism course. Contact the teacher, Mr. Medina, at emedina@binghamton.edu with any questions or concerns. Staff includes: Sam Hardee, Madeline Hitchcock, Morgan Mazyck, Lorenzo Oliver, Melanie Rapuzzi, Emily Russell, Mieka Sanders, and “Shania” Swan.
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See HITCHCOCK page 8
HARDEE, from page 5 “Don't do anything stupid, like illegal drugs, and do your homework. Always do your homework!” Shania Swan said “Get off your fancy, schmancy devices and look at the horizon,” said Mr. Medina a journalism and English teacher from Union-Endicott who has taught here three of the past four years, when he was asked if he had any advice to seniors. He means, don't let life pass you by. Look up, see the world, take in a new experience, and make the best out of it.
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August 2016
Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
Party on the fifth floor By EMILY RUSSELL Staff Writer Perfume, snacks, and laughter was how Alison Lin’s TC group consumed the fifth-floor hallway throughout the five weeks of Upward Bound. The eight girls share a bond that created many great adventures and left each individual with at least one lasting memory. The group participated in many activities that helped make the summer better and ensured their return next year. “It was extremely fun,” Sabrina French said when asked about playing Apples to Apples. “It helped me to get to know the group better and it helped relax the tension I had.” During free time or breaks the TC group and Alison would sit down to play Apples to Apples. Playing as a group helped them to connect and laugh at the silliest of answers. “I'm a huge Harry Potter fan,” second-year scholar Christina Gladhill said. “We got to know what everyone likes.” The TC group had a majority rule for Harry Potter being the theme and for making wands for the group photo. Alison and her scholars got creative and painted pencils then sprinkled glitter on them to create a magical effect. “People in our group coordinated outfits throughout the week,” Melanie Rapuzzi said when
Perler Bead creations sat to cool in the fifth-floor hallway of Broome Hall, during the final full week of Upward Bound. Photo by Emily Russell
questioned about spirit week. “I wore the same hoodie that matched the t-shirt of my roommate and TC Alison. We also wore fox tails.” for twin day. Alison’s TC group participated each day of spirit week with the most scholar representatives. Alison herself was friendly with her group and agreed to be a triplet with two of her scholars. “It was fun and amazing,” said scholar Antoinette Aird about watching a movie during pow-wow. “It was my first fort. That was that big.” The group voted to watch Howl’s Moving Castle during the fourth week of UB. Scholars set up a giant fort in the lounge on the first of four days it took to see the movie.
“I’ve always loved doing perler beads and I found them in the office, so I decided to do them with my TC group,” Alison said. “It's a fun activity because you don't have to be creative or you can be super creative to make them.” TC Briana Alford bought the peg boards with Ms. Nita, but they purchased the pre-patterned boards instead of squares. The girls used what they had to their advantage and accomplished creating a design they wanted. “Well before we voted I knew some of my scholars wanted to try it,” Alison said about getting Bubble Tea during the last powwow of the summer. “The vote was 7-1.”
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
HITCHCOCK, from page 6
August, 2016
Summer adventures
elaborates. Tyron Brown said he wanted to communicate his appreciation toward all of the people he has met and who have helped him through his first year as a TC. “I actually made some amazing friends, not just other TCs but some staff on campus,” Tyron said. “Discussing things varying from faith and God to education and politics, to life itself.” Tyron also explained how much love he has for his coworkers and the other staff, and he showed much appreciation for his mentors and the people who guided him this summer.
Photo by Melanie Rapuzzi
“I would even go as far as say I made friendships with the scholars,” Brown continued. “They remind me of little brothers and little sisters.”
By MELANIE RAPUZZI Staff Writer
Meeting new people is normal at Upward Bound, and for me is probably the best part. Being exposed to new personalities and cultures is very eye opening and exciting.
Each summer of Upward Bound has new adventures to behold, and every year, new scholars and TC’s to partake in these experiences. Returners notice both good and bad changes every year, and this scorching summer of 2016 is no exception.
“Everyone is so different and unique,” said senior, Sabrina Nordstrom.
Most people here at UB can agree that the TC groups this year are much closer than they have been in past years. Last year, the TC groups seemed somewhat thrown together, while this year it seems like Nick and Shaunte have put more thought into sorting out the TC groups.
Each person you meet at UB offers new and interesting insights and qualities that you otherwise might have never been exposed to, and it is a great way to grow personally and culturally. “I met some really nice people,” said scholar Taj James, “I will keep in touch with them through Facebook, getting their numbers, and hopefully hanging out outside of school.” The students we meet here can help us create long lasting friendships and memories, some that we will likely never forget.
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Scholars Antoinette Aird and Christina Gladhill practice and learn to crochet in their dorm room.
“Some TC groups have a lot of returners that know each other so they're more comfortable sharing personal stuff,” said 2nd year scholar, Emily Russell. "I also feel like the TC groups are participating more in the TC oriented events because they're more comfortable with each other,” she further continued. One thing that I, personally, feel is an improvement from last year, is the fact that study hours have been moved back to the dormitories. Walking to the fine arts building for study hours was a hassle, most students can agree that it is better to do homework in the comfort of our dorms, rather an with our whole TC group.
See SUMMER page 10
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
August 2016
Her first day MORGAN MAZYCK The car ride was bumpy and filled with a still silence, my mother's dark eyes focused solely on the road. The tension in the air was still there from an earlier conversation about the program, no matter how much I declined my mother strongly insisted I give it a shot. Our car tires swerved with each twist and turn. We took the path to the dormitories at Binghamton University. Shortly after, we pulled into the back of a building with the words Broome Hall in bold letters placed across the top. The building had many windows. A lady came over, a broad grin spread across her face. I was in no mood to smile. Instead my mother smiled and said a polite hello while I unpacked my stuff into the giant army-green cart the girl brought with her. As I pushed the cart, which, might I add, was very heavy, the girl gushed to me about how great the program is. Even though my mind was wandering on different topics, not wanting to be rude I smiled and nodded. “You're going to love it here! It's a great way to broaden your horizons and meet new people,” she said. I inwardly cringed at her chirpy tone. Those exact words my siblings had said to me the day before. I sighed tiredly. I so wasn't prepared for this. My mom signed me in while I tried in the best possible way to avoid human interaction in this crowded lobby. Teenagers sped by with pizza that looked more like drippy lasagne melting their hands. “Let's go,” my mom smiled, then lead me to the elevator — the giant green cart still in tow. We got to my room. 432. I almost slammed my head against the hard wooden door at the sight of the cold, barren room. My roommate’s bed was already a mess, but her products were tucked away neatly, I snickered quietly. At Least I get to room with my best friend. Speak of the devil and they shall appear. Naomi came bounding into the room, her harsh steps echoing off the walls. My mom smiled at her hello then quickly went back to making my bed, Naomi helped me unpack everything else. “Okay, you're all set. I'll see you Friday, I love you.” My mom placed a fat slobbery kiss on my cheek before exiting, I muttered a ‘love you to’ trying to wipe the kiss off my cheek. I sighed and flopped onto the bed, quickly regretting it as I came in contact with a hard gymnastic mat like bed. I groaned.
Continued on the next page, see FIRST DAY
LIFE HACK: Avoiding Groundation By MELANIE RAPUZZI Staff Writer Nobody likes groundation. “You sit in a room, and write about why you are in groundation, and why what you did was wrong,” as explained by Ahjahnay Minard. Sometimes kids get in trouble for petty things such as cursing. Groundation is the form of punishment given when Upward Bound scholars misbehave. Kids can be given anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours of groundation, which takes place in the basement during free time. According to AC Nick Matyas, the most common thing that scholars get in trouble for is not following directions. “I think always at the beginning it's the freshmen because they're adjusting to what the rules are like here, and understanding what we do and how things work,” Nick said. “And then I think kids get comfortable sometimes and then they slip up." Scholars can be grounded for various reasons, including talking back to their superiors, fighting with water, and sneaking out. But by using these 3 easy life hack tips, you can stay out of trouble with ease. Step 1: Listen to the TC’s and follow the rules, even if you disagree with them. This is a very important step in maintaining a squeaky clean record. Step 2: Be careful what you say or do, especially around your superiors,
See HACK, page 10 9
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
Bittersweet Breakfast By MELANIE RAPUZZI Staff Writer The cafeteria is not as loud as usual on this sunny Friday morning, the last Friday that we will all spend together this summer. Monday is the last real breakfast that we will spend, but today is the last Friday and it is still saddening nonetheless. “It's kind of bittersweet, I'm happy to go home, but I'm gonna miss everyone because this isn't gonna happen again next week after the trip,” says TC Alison Lin. Today we line up to go take all our finals that we had been so anxiously awaiting. These finals indicate the end of classes for the summer. “I'm pretty happy. Next week is the trip and then we're done,” fellow UB Bounder Staff Writer Emily Russell added. We all will indeed miss the atmosphere, but I think we can all agree, there's no place like home. “I'm happy,” said another student who asked not to be named. “We get to go home and we don't have to deal with people's garbage.”
HACK, from page 9 the TC’s and AC’s. Try to get in the habit of not cursing too much. Even I can be guilty of forgetting this step. Step 3: Be respectful to your peers and superiors. It sounds incredibly cliche, but seriously, don't be rude. “This is an educational place, behave the same way that you would in a normal setting. This is no time to slack off,” says an anonymous source.
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August, 2016
FIRST DAY, from page 9 Well this just gets better and better. Later that night I laid awake staring at the white ceiling, unable to sleep in the foreign room. I had tried everything in the book. Counting sheep, counting down from one hundred, I even ate some food. That didn't work. Rolling over I stared at the blue illuminated light of my alarm clock. Naomi's quiet snores filled the still empty room even with all our stuff cluttered inside. 11:25 I shoved my face in my pillow for what seemed like eternity, praying for sleep to come. It didn't. 11:27 I finally gave in to my addiction grabbing my book read until I felt like my eyes would bleed out. 5:55 I was out like a light. Harsh banging on the door pulled me from my dream state, I cracked open my eyes. Feeling anger coiling in the pit of my stomach, ready to unleash it on the culprit who dared wake me up at 7am. I swung the door open but my anger quickly diminished as a small lady with crazy curly hair smiled up at me. “Good morning Morgan, I'm Amy and you guys have to start getting ready for your first day.” She smiled and walked away. Naomi was up and ready along with me at 7:45. Everyone crammed into the small lobby my mom signed me into prior to this day, when a short man with dark brown hair that clashed nicely with his blue eyes. “Hey I'm TC Joey.” I smiled for what seemed like the first time in forever. “Morgan and this is Naomi.” He smiled and walked away, and pretty soon girls from my floor, neighbors started coming up and introducing themselves. Despite everything I felt towards this program at first I've grown a huge appreciation for it, considering it my first year.
SUMMER, from page 8 “I'm actually more excited about study hours in the dorms because last year they made us walk all the way to a room, and it was pouring one day, and they made us sit there for 2 hours, soaking wet. I got sick because of it, and I miss the duckies,” says 3rd year scholar, Sam Hardee. “My first year we had it in the dorms, and it really annoyed me that they didn't last year." In all, this summer at Binghamton University has definitely changed for the better, and the worse, as it does every year. Some returners have their own words of advice for this year’s freshmen and future scholars.
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August 2016
Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
UB’ers contribute to Mural Fest By EMILY RUSSELL Staff Writer Six scholar-artists devoted countless hours and battled frequent frustrations, but their murals have been entered in Binghamton’s Mural Fest. The students in the art minicourse have been working almost non-stop during the five weeks of Upward Bound to complete their murals. The students are split into two groups and are creating a different theme for each mural, with the help of instructor Tess Zizak. "I think they're pretty cool, especially ours with the elephants and safari theme," Carolyn Struble said, when asked about her opinion of the murals. "When we find out where they will be put up I will go see them, they will be better to see far away than up close." The four girls in the course are painting a safari-themed mural with elephants, while the two guys are airbrushing a park scene with hot air balloons, sort of like the Spiedie Fest. Tess is giving in her artistic input to help the artists bring the murals to life, so she can submit the murals in the Mural Fest.
Student murals, like the above balloon scene and the safari scene, below left, are being entered by scholars into this year’s Mural Fest, by the city of Binghamton. Photos by Emily Russell
According to Binghamton.indymedia.com, “last year's Mural Fest created more than 30 mural panels which were subsequently placed on boarded up buildings in Binghamton. Mural Fest 2016 is slated for Sept. 17, and will be held along the Chenango River Trail at Cheri Lindsey Park." Mural Fest is well known by many in this area and multiple people participate to express their ideas. Including Upward Bound scholars' work in the Mural Fest helps to show what the program is really about, and that the students throughout Broome County want to be included in county-wide events. "I like them a lot. I think they're an interesting idea," Dominick Stock said while working on his group mural. "People take time out of their day to do this.” The murals will be placed somewhere in Binghamton for all to see. Scholars will be the first to know the location and see the revealing of the murals. The participating scholars will get a feeling of accomplishment and great pride when they finally see their designs under the lights of the city.
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Upward Bound’s official student newsletter
Retaliation in the stairwell By “SHANIA” SWAN Staff Writer Friday morning, girls from the fourth floor decided to go to the boys’ floor and play “Friday,” a song by Rebecca Black, while screaming “wake up!” The girls of the fourth floor woke up at 6:50 a.m. and went down to the third floor at 7 a.m. Then they went to the second floor after they had screamed down the hallway of the third for the boys to wake up. “We did it as a prank. We wanted to wake them up as annoyingly as possible,” Brittney Hamilton said. “The boys went up into our stairwell one night and were really loud. So we retaliated.” On Wednesday night the boys had gone up to the landing between the third and fourth floors. While there they were being obnoxiously loud, they also played loud music and started stomping on the stairs. “They did it to us and it was annoying,” Sabrina Lamoree said. “We did it to bond.” “Well, considering it's our last Friday together,” Rachel Liddic said. “I thought it would be fun for us to get them back for the other night when the boys’ floor had a floor war of sorts.”
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August, 2016
Scholars share thoughts on Upward Bound By MELANIE RAPUZZI Staff writer VESTAL - It certainly does "smell like teen spirit" here at Upward Bound, what with all 130-plus scholars at Binghamton University during this hot summer of 2016. Soon to be sophomores, juniors, and seniors gather from near and far to partake in this lovely program, and each year brings new experiences. Personally, I think that this program has its flaws, but nothing in life is perfect, and I really enjoyed being here last summer. But enough about me, let's see what some other scholars think. What is your favorite part of UB? Sophomore, Carolynn Struble "All the things that we do during free time that are offered and going to class, I like to go to class actually, I get a credit for health, so that's a plus." Junior, Antoinette Aird - "The humans around." Senior, Madeline Hitchcock "My favorite part is probably the people that I get to meet, making new friends from all over the place." Least favorite part? Struble - "My roommate left me."
Aird - "No music when you have the homeworks, I don't like silence." Hitchcock - "My least favorite part is probably the rules, some of them seem a little, you know, out of date, if you will." Favorite class? Struble - "Visual lit, visual literature" Aird - "Visual lit. We read short stories, sometimes she will ask you to draw a storyboard of a scene, there is usually at the very least a short film about what you read, so we watch that and we eat popcorn." Hitchcock - "That's a hard one. My favorite is probably college prep, because it's just very helpful, it gets you prepared for the year that is closing in." If you haven't already, would you consider returning to UB? Struble - "Yeah I really like it here, the first week it was a little hard getting used to things, but after the second week I got used to it, and now I really like it here."