UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
THE PELOTON All our ducks in a row Purposeful rubber duckies help to preserve Upward Bound memories
Bye, bye, UB! Seniors say goodbye to summer program By ASHLEY HOYT Staff Writers As the 2014 Upward Bound summer program entered its last week of classes, seniors began to say their final goodbyes and reflected back on their experiences.
By EMILY STRUBLE Staff Writer
Returning scholars were extremely upset when they were told study hours would be removed from the dorms and therefore the precious duckies as well. Duckies, given to each scholar to toss into the hallway to receive help on homework, were no longer needed when study hours were temporarily moved to the Fine Arts building. Relief was brought to many returners when
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“All the other past UB scholars, that come back, get the three ducks. It’s like a keepsake that says ‘Yes I did all three summers.’” Amber Marks, a third year from Deposit, said as she trifled with her newest duckie.
According to an informal count, updated since the last edition of The Peloton, 31 students have lasted from freshman through senior year. They include Joe Wilcox, JJ Davidson, Alex Sanderson, Ashley Hoyt, Jacob Balanda (all of Whitney Point), Amanda Rhodes, Kristine Snyder, Peter Mutz, (Harpersville).Shawnell Hall, Kristyn Fisher, Sierra Bellgraph,, Fabrice Charles, Isaiah Mack, Tashawn Rogers, Tiffany Ostrom, Benaleio Daniels, Satara Mcrae, Erika Guzmen (Binghamton), Amber Marks, Emily Struble (Deposit), Christian Lopez, Sean Nemi (Greene), Matt Nieves, ChayTreccia Moncrieft-Hawkins (Johnson City), Tim Johnson, Brandon Greiner (Chenango
Marks wasn’t the only scholar who was relieved to receive her third duckie.
see BYE BYE, page 2
the hours were moved back to their traditional residency in the dorms and the duckies were handed out.
see DUCKS, page 4 PAGE 1
UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
Seniors say ‘goodbye’
BYE BYE, conintued #om cover Valley), Brandon King (UnionEndicott), John Storey and Nick Hodge (Windsor), Rachel Maxwell, and Chelsi Byrnes (Sidney). Many of them say they would not be the same without this program. “I’m really gonna miss this place,” Tia Swift, 16, of Johnson City said. “If I wasn't graduating early I would definitely come back, I almost changed my mind about graduating early for UB.”
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If she could give one piece of advice it would be, “Don't ever forget a sweater on ANY trip.” “Don't change who you are for anyone else. Always remember who you are,” Sierra Bellgraph, of Binghamton, said. “Step out of your comfort zone.” Amber Marks and Emily Struble, both of Deposit, agreed that in this program one should “respect others and meet everyone you can.”
“Enjoy your time, it will help you in the future” Rachel Maxwell, of Sidney. “Get high off life” Satara Mcrae, of Binghamton said. “Don't get caught up in girls... I've done it a lot and its not why we are here. Although making friends and new pals is a huge goal here because its a large family here!” Christian Lopez, 18, Greene said, “ I will miss each and every one.of you who made it through all three years we've been here! You guys are like family to me, like really!”
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
J-class visits BU’s Pipe Dream By EMILY STRUBLE Staff Writer UNIVERSITY UNION — Scholars of first-period Journalism visited the office of the University’s student newspaper, Pipe Dream, Friday. Managing Editor Zachary Feldman was there to show scholars a thing or two about the way the campus publication is run. It is a true student-led organization. He had the three girls all sit in a specific desk in the newsroom and, it was explained, the job of the person is determined by the title above seat. “It’s absolutely worth it.” Feldman told the scholars, explaining the busy daily routine of the students on the Pipe Dream staff. The members of Pipe Dream are all students at Binghamton University. They are one of the few college newspapers that doesn’t have an adult advisor, Fedlman said. He was very proud of this because it shows that the University’s president has no say in anything that they print, meaning they are an independent news organization and can report without bias. Even though the University has no say in what is printed, the paper does sometimes receive
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The Peleton staffers (from left) Amber Marks, Emily Struble, and Cassidy Weaver met with Pipe Dream Managing Editor Zack Feldman, who talked about the ins and outs of campus journalism. Staff photo
backlash from university officials as well as the students.
Feldman commented, pointing toward the hallway as he
“There was a crowd of like fifty people outside that door,”
see DREAM, next page
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
We’re taking a Philly road trip By CASSIDY WEAVER Staff Writer Upward Bound scholars are leaving Tuesday, Aug. 5, on a bus to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the program’s yearly trip. Scholars will have to get up at 4 a.m. to get ready for their departure. While in Philadelphia, students will see the Liberty Bell and the Constitution.
DUCKS, #om the #ont page
“I was excited to get my duckie. I already had my other two duckies with me.” said Ashley Hoyt, a third year from Whitney Point, with a smile. Hoyt went on to agree with Marks saying that duckies are a part of the study hour tradition. The duckies not only have a place in the hearts of seniors, but also the second years. “Yes!!” Brianna Brown of Norwich answered wholeheartedly when Emily Struble, staff writer, asked her if she would be upset if
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"I'd love to get a Philly cheesesteak!" HC Shaunté laughed.
is supposed to be in the high 80's and only a ten percent chance of rain.
The students will be taking three buses to get there. Organization of the buses will be random, similar to the way the buses were organized when the scholars went to Dorchester Park.
In Philadelphia, students will be split up and guided around in groups according to which bus they will ride. While at Hershey Park, they'll be able to walk around in groups of at least two.
Shaunté suggested that the scholars bring sunscreen, a swimsuit and a towel, along with comfortable clothes and shoes. Weather for the two days
“I think Lori, Nita, and Nick have a list of places Upward Bound has gone over the years and they just choose one and rotate through them,” Shaunté said.
she did not receive a duckie next year.
SENIORS, #om previous
Brown also informed Struble the she does still have her first duckie.
remembered the backlash from one of the opinion columns they had printed.
Corrina Mundy, a first year at Upward Bound this year, was also very excited to receive her duckie and would be glad if she had a duckie next year.
The Pipe Dream has a set place in their paper for the correction of their mistakes. Although there are a few mistakes, Feldman loves to teach new journalists how to use the design programs and how to design an appealing newspaper. “I love teaching it. If you love it you’ll stick with it.” Feldman said, adding that this coming semester will be his seventh, “or eighth,” as a member of the newspaper’s staff. “It looks like a lot of fun,” said
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
What is “mmm” in Spanish? By BROOKE MURPHY Staff Writer Thanks to Scholar JJ, a group of seven scholars got together to make some delicious empanadas after lunch with Spanish teacher Mr. Blackman. The scholars had a blast learning and making the interesting recipes. Two types of empanadas were explored. JJ brought up with the idea to make empanadas because of the movie they watched in his 3rd period Spanish class. He researched the recipe and asked Mr.Blackman if
they could make it and thankfully he said yes. And that's when Mr.Blackman reserved a time to make them in the kitchen on Tuesday.
according to Brianna Sprouse and Mieka Sanders.
One of the recipes is from a movie the scholars watched in Mr.Blackman's class, "Entre Nos." It had shredded beef, tomatoes, and potatoes. The tomatoes were diced and precooked while the potatoes also were diced and precooked.
Mr. Blackman told the scholars they are made by folding bread around stuffing, which usually consists of a variety of meat, cheese, vegetables and fruits.
Mr.Blackman's own recipe consists of seasoned grounded beef, which tastes very good with hot sauce,
A lot of people went into the kitchen asking for these delicious meat-filled enlightenments, such as TC Hilary, TC Ben, Nick and Nita.
"These are so good," said sophomore Mieka of Union-Endicott.
"They are very good," AC Nick said.
Heaven between two slices of bread By ASHLYNN BAKER Staff writer
closer to her house, the Hitch n' Post, but the skinny little soccer player prefers a Big Mac with fries and strawberry banana smoothie.
Burgers are everywhere, except with Sodexo. Around the US you can find any restaurant, fast food establishment, or street vendor no matter what, you'll most likely find a burger. According to TC Vedo, Wendy's has got his heart. When the 20 year old TC wants a burger he goes to Wendy's for a "Triple Baconator," with hot sauce, almost like heaven with a strawberry-flavored drink to wash it all down and for desert, well, "cheesecake preferably." Although the TC with 3 jobs from the Bronx doesn't find his favorite burger in his hometown, a soon-tobe Hapursville senior can find her favorite wings near her home. Yes wings, what's she thinking? It's
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She may be small but apparently her stomach can hold down her favorite burger found at McDonalds, an Americam Favorite. she'd also stated "Tacos is life" but She just prefers Mickey D's. However, her favorite Journalism teacher at Upward Bound enjoys an old favorite from his teen stomping grounds of Los Angeles, "In-N-Out." When Medina was a teen/young adult and headed out to eat, he craved the restraunt chain’s signature Double Double. Although Mexican food is his favorite, he wouldn't mind heading home for a good ole Double Double.
see BURGERS, page 6
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
It ain’t Vegas, so what happens during first period can be public By ASHLEY HOYT Staff Writer
One time, Medina was just flat out late to class and the students had to have Teacher Counselor John, a.k.a. Kofi, sit in and play his Pandora through the loud speakers.
When four girls and one boy, who left the program early to tour Europe, sit with Mr. Medina in journalism class first period, things They were left to hack into can sometimes get off topic. Facebook and post things on Facebook, even when they are not When Ashley Hoyt, Emily Struble, allowed on Facebook! Or, they sit Amber Marks, Cassidy Weaver, and and play on Instagram, Pinterest, Thomas Nordstrom (the gone-toand Tumblr, when not completely Europe guy), are in Mr. Medina’s enthralled with one of Mr. Medina’s class and are not working on The stunning lectures, a favorite lesson Peloton or other not-so-important design of his. topics, what happens in room 305 in the student wing may shock see VEGAS, page 8 some. But not us.
The Peloton, Issue 1, Volume ii The Peloton is the official student newsletter of Upward Bound. It is written by students, for students, and is published as often as possible during the five-week summer program. Subscriptions are free. Contact the journalism class teacher, Mr. Medina, with any questions or concerns. Staff: Thomas A. Nordstrom Joe Wilcox Ashley Hoyt Amber Marks Emily Struble
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Cassidy Weaver Ashlyn Baker Satara McRae Josiah Niles Amanda Rhodes Brooke Murph-dawg
AUGUST, 2014
BURGERS, #om page 5 As a Californian at heart, the only possible burger that compares is Five Guys, which is exactly where Vedo is heading this weekend for a heavenly experience with a burger of his dreams. All of this may sound appetizing, but not necessarily all that healthy. When Medina headed out as teen he didn't, frankly, care about or even think of his future health. He wanted whatever looked good to him. “Food was my favorite dish,” Medina explained. “Especially food that involved ground beef, greese, French fries, and soda pop.” Brooke "MurphDAWG" Murphy also told us that'd she has a deep love for the Burger King whopper as does Vedo, but Murphy, the 14year old soon-to-be sophomore at Deposit High School, loves chicken alfredo but nothing can compare to her deep admiration for the Whopper with fries and Dr. Pepper. Are you hungry yet? We'll you should be. Head to any burger joint and leave a review or tell a friend. Share the knowledge of food, one day you'll be thanked.
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
Student journalists refuse to be silenced Peleton staff members print, staple, and distribute July newsletter as class project
The students of the journalism class were very upset that their paper might not be able to be seen by their peers. Another fourth period journalism student, Brooke Murphy, was also disappointed about the copies not being made.
By AMANDA RHODES Staff writer
"I think that we were making a point that we needed to be heard," said Brooke.
A few students in fourth-period journalism class decided their voices were not going to be silenced.
Brooke said that she was part of the process of printing out the papers and handing them out.
The class was very excited for the publication of their first edition of The Peloton for this summer, which was released last week. Students were told that AC Lori was making copies of the newspaper and asked about it again the next day. It was then that the students learned that copies would only being given to the TCs, meaning students would have to ask about it in order to read it, in contrast to the previous year when every student was handed a copy. This was unacceptable to this class. "We printed them out through our BlackBoard accounts where you
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Copies of the July 2014 issue of The Peloton wait to be stacked, stapled and distributed at lunch Wednesday. Staff photo
have to pay for the paper (bring printed). We spent almost $20 printing our own copies to hand out at lunch," Ashlyn Baker, a fourthperiod journalism student, said Wednesday.
"They never put my name on the back and so I wrote it I on every copy. I used $3 to print 20 copies and stapled them and helped pass them out at lunch," she said.
"I didn't know it was occurring when it first began to occur," said journalism class teacher, Mr. Medina. He went on to explain that, "once I figured out what they were doing I felt that it was probably the Ashlyn also said they wanted to most memorable experience that I hand out copies at lunch because the have had as a teacher in UB." ACs didn’t make copies. The reason the teacher felt it was “We wanted to show that if we do one of his most memorable something we want people to notice experiences was because he believes and we want the students to be able to read it and know what's going see SILENCED, page 8 on," she said.
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
SILENCED, #om page 7
that it showed the students pride in their work and their determination to not be silenced. Medina says that those are skills you can't teach. "You can teach skills all day you can't teach guts,” Medina said. “You can't teach determination; you can't teach courage. They did it knowing they could get in trouble, but it’s the good kind of trouble, in that they just wanted to be heard." The students spent their time printing out, stapling, and putting together the papers so they could hand them out to their peers and have their work read. The students were proud of themselves and the teacher was proud of them as well. The three students who worked to get the paper out to their fellow students were Ashlyn Baker, Amanda Rhodes, and Brooke Murphy.
AUGUST, 2014
VEGAS, #om page 6 Almost daily, Medina mixes up Ashley's and Amber's names because they sit right next to one another. He’s had them as students for weeks now and he still asks, almost daily, "Wait, what's your e-mail?" so that he can share things with them via Google Drive, forgetting that all of them have a bonafide Blackboard account. In journalism class, kids have had to take some walks around campus during class time. One was for them to “learn” how to write using their five senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Another walk involved a “coffee break,” an essential rite of passage, but also, Medina said, “to get the true essence of the joining the working/adult world by experiencing the freedom to go out and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends and practice free speech.” Yeah. We know. Suffice to say, Mr. Medina has a “different” approach to teaching his classes. He isn't big on giving a lot of homework, which the students all appreciate but know it’s just smoke and mirrors because they were working on something almost daily! “All kidding aside, I enjoy teaching this class because the students work hard and learn to really care about their writing,” Medina said in that way he has where you really can’t tell if he’s telling you a tall tale. “When the kids take ownership of their own work, awesome things can and sometimes do happen.” Case in point, the two classes were able to publish two newsletters showcasing the work of 11 student writers. This second edition will top 10 pages, a Peloton record, with no repeated stories. “I think it shows that at some point, kids just started collecting news and writing stories,” Medina said. “That’s what helps keep this job fun for me, is when they begin to care about sharing information and their work that it becomes an independent project.”
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
Good morning, everyone! By AMBER MARKS Staff Writer In the dining hall at breakfast, a loud, resounding, “ Good morning, everyone!” is heard each morning. This Upward Bound tradition is well-known. Emily Struble, 17, of Deposit, is part of this long tradition at UB. Every summer a junior is asked by a senior to say “good morning” every morning at UB the following summer. This goes back so far no one can really remember who started it. TC Melissa Maldonado, who was a UB scholar for two summers and is a TC for the first time, was one of the scholars chosen to say good morning
in the past. She was given this job by Shannon Jimemez and passed it on to Kyle Garren. When asked about her job, she said she endured a lot of bullying but liked it overall. “I actually got really bullied a lot that year because of it, like from groups of kids I didn't even know,” she sadly remembered. “They would be like, ‘why don't you say good morning, good afternoon, and good night?’” Struble has also endured some teasing with this job. People have tried saying it first to spite her or have yelled something back besides the “good morning.” She was given the job by Katrina Lester and has yet to decide who to give it to for next year.
Struble said that she was happy she got the job, but that she was nervous about getting in front of everybody. When asked if she enjoyed it all, she vehemently replied, “yes I do! “I mean, if they ask I'm kinda okay, but if they just get up and steal it from me I get quite angry because it's a tradition for a senior. You work for it. It’s not a privilege,” Struble said about other scholars spitefully doing her job. Maldonado believes that the bullying comes from the Good-morning person changing every year, and not just one person gains respect for three years but that each year someone has to gain that respect.
Senior good-bye feelings mixed By SATARA MC RAE Staff writer A lot of seniors, who are leaving the Upward Bound program for good this year, might be a little sad because this could be one of the last times they get to really hang out with the friends they have made over the years they have been here. Then there are the seniors who are rather excited to start the next school year. Although it's been a rather good summer some of the seniors complain about this year compared to other years. The seniors "need to look at the good," AC Nita Baldwin said.
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The seniors are growing up though so a lot of the actives that were fun when they were younger no longer has the same effect. "The things that used to be spectacular are no longer spectacular" AC Lori said we've all grown up and now it's time to pave the way for the freshman of upward bound. Personally, the seniors who do complain will most likely miss the program the most because without this program a lot of us would probably never look or talk to each other.
see MIXED, page 10
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UPWARD BOUND’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER!
AUGUST, 2014
Scholars showcase their talents By AMBER MARKS Staff Writer Upward Bound’s summer annual Talent Show was held Thursday in the undergrounds during free time. UB scholars showed off many different talents, ranging from singing to comedy. Patrick Mulderig and John Story were the MCs for the first half of the talent show and did a wonderful job with their quirky humor. Fabrice Charles and Isaiah Mack MC’ed the last half of the talent show and The show started off with two lovely singers. Ty’Breyah Livingston sang “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, with a little help from the audience and great friends. After her was Samantha Hardee and a heartfelt “ One Thousand Miles” By Vanessa Carlton. Chelsi Byrnes had a great comedy routine, followed by Tyler Niemi and Hardee singing “ How to Save a Life” by The Fray. Michael George sang “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance to throw in a little rock. “Lay down a list of what is wrong, the things you’ve told him all along, Pray to God, he hears you...” Sang along Jacob Ramey, enjoying the music, headbanging a little to “Black Parade.” Christian Lopez and Niemi did their awesome Jumpstyle routine, followed by the TC show. The TCs showcased
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Bachata and some old dance moves, and TC Jacquie showed off her amazing circus stilts. Donny and Jacob sang “Hey Ya!” to end the first half of the show. Charles and Mack took over for Mulderig and Story. Jacob Balanda sang “ A Daisy a Day” by Jud Strunk, and ended in a chorus of “awww”s from the audience. Brooke Murphy and Jasmine Tuttle sang “ Pills and Potions” by Nicki Minaj, and Janice sang “ Turning Tables” by Adele, dedicating it to TC Karen. The last two acts were Sean Niemi and his comedy act, and the show ended with TC Donny and TC Jacob singing and playing guitar, with three scholars in front “playing” on brooms. It was a fun and talent-ful night had by all. The audience was polite and the talented scholars had a time to shine.
MIXED, #om page 9 This program has given people the opportunity to grow not only educationally but also socially. The program has given me the chance to communicate with students from different schools and be introduced to some of the most memorable individuals I've ever had the pleasure to meet TC's, HC, and AC's included.
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