YAKIMA, Wash. – The Upward Bound Summer Program at Yakima Valley College is in full swing, providing a unique opportunity for low-income and first-generation students to explore college life.
This federally funded initiative has supported students in their pursuit of higher education for over 40 years.
More than 30 students took part in an engineering lesson, building remote-controlled cars. This hands-on experience offers high school students a glimpse into college life, including living in dorms during the week.
Charlene Underwood, a senior at Toppenish High School, shared her excitement.
“I really like putting stuff together like that. Like it kind of reminds me of like, robotics and stuff, like robotics going on, like elementary,” she said.
For Charlene, the lesson was not just educational but also reignited a long-lost passion.
“And it’s been a while since I’ve done something like that. So it’s really fun,” she said.
Isaias Guerrero, the program director, emphasized the significance of the program.
“This is a safe place for them, too, so they feel really comfortable here expressing themselves, being creative,” he said.
As a first-generation college student himself, Guerrero understands the program’s potential impact. “
Being exposed to college opportunities and not having somebody in your family or somebody to go to that has gone through that funnel of higher education because it’s a tricky institution to navigate. Programs like this really push students to excel academically, to pursue education and really shoot for the stars,” he added.
Charlene explained how the program helps her, and her parents prepare for college life.
“I really think that it’s really good for me to get away from home and like my parents having me away from home, like….It’s just like a little push, like, so they can get an idea of what’s going to go on. And I’m going to get an idea of what’s going to go on in college,” she said.
Upcoming activities for the students include assembling STEM planes and visiting the Museum of Flight in Seattle to see engineering practices in action.
