Jackie Clay has a son in upward bound. It's a program that helps high schoolers, mainly from low income households, prepare for college.
"The kids can get that extra tutoring, the experience,” Jackie Clay said. “The community service of giving back."
Jackie's son is a junior right now, but when he graduates, he's hoping to come right here to MSU. And with upward bound, she believes he'll get there.
"If he really wants to go to MSU they will help him,” Clay said. “He's been in upward bound since 9th grade."
It's been a big help to her and her family. That's why when she found out it might be canceled, all because of a technical error when MSU applied for a grant, she was...
"Devastated,” Clay said.
But MSU is paying to keep the program around. Jackie's not the only one happy about that:
"Goosebumps, goosebumps, completely excited," Aaron Tucker said.
Tucker went through upward bound and has a master's degree now. He says he doesn't even want to think about where he'd be without it. He says he knows a lot of people who went through upward bound who'd feel the same way. Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul says she's grateful for the university... The program has been around for 50 years.
"It just impacts the lives of so many kids, it's just a wonderful opportunity for our kids," Caamal Canul said.
She says upward bound is vital and improves the retention of kids staying in college and graduating after four years.
If you’re interested in having your kid join Upward Bound, click here for more information.
