Nearly 30 local high school students participated in Centralia College's 2024 Upward Bound summer program

Sep. 11—Centralia College's Upward Bound summer program was filled with classes, guest speakers, campus tours and educational field trips for nearly 30 local high schoolers culminating in a banquet held at Fort Borst Park.

Upward Bound is a program offered at Centralia College that provides year-long academic support, career exploration and college preparation for students in grades 9 through 12.

Students in the program receive tutoring, mentoring and job shadowing opportunities, help with college applications, stipends for meeting academic performance objectives and more.

During this year's summer program, local high schoolers took classes in geometry, algebra, precalculus, English, Korean, robotics and music theory. They were also taken to visit a college campus or a museum or cultural site every Friday during the program.

The tours included Portland State University, Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Washington, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of Illusions, the Museum of Pop Culture and the state Capitol grounds.

Centralia College also hosted guest speakers during the program for the students, including TRIO and Centralia College alumni Jonathan McMillan, Edith Almanza, Diana Torres, Chase Conaway and Emily Klickman.

The summer program ended with a banquet sponsored by Reser's Fine Foods at Fort Borst Park. More than 60 people attended, including students, family members and Centralia College staff.

Upward Bound is a federally funded college and career exploration program for local high school students. For more information on the program or to apply, visit www.centralia.edu/resources/trio-programs/upward-bound.aspx.