Testimonials and Reflections

Decade of the 1960s

“I am grateful for having had the opportunity to be among the first Upward Bound students at UNC-CH. …I will never forget that Upward Bound scales still read, The Sky is the Limit.”

~ Dr. Audrey Ward
Class, 1966-67

“When I recall attending Upward Bound it tends to charge me up again and again, because Upward Bund was the driving force that caused me to attend college. When I think of Upward Bound, I feel it was my ticket to a more rewarding and prosperous life. Without it many areas would have been slow to show light as for as my maturity and growth.”

~ Lennie (Lannie) Breeze
Class, 1969

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Decade of the 1970s

“The eight weeks that I spent in the Upward Bound Program the summer of 1968 marked a turning point in my life. I always had high ambitions about being successful, but it was Upward Bound that made that a reality. American taxpayers can be assured that they are getting their money’s worth I supporting the Upward Bound Program. I can attest to the importance and the value of the program. Upward Bound, for me, was indeed an avenue to my personal enrichment, and academic growth and development.”

~Dr. Freddie Parker, Ph.D
Class, 1971

“The Upward Bound program at UNC-CH was a major contributor in helping me decide if I was college material. My SAT scores indicated that I was not college bound. Upward Bound’s tutorial services enabled me to improve academically and ultimately receive a college degree. I feel that there is no other program to take its place.”

~ Jenise Horton-Lowe
Class, 1979

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Decade of the 1980s

Upward Bound has helped me to take on all challenges in life with a positive attitude. It helped me to meet people and learn to enjoy cultural events.

~ Alecia (Lisa) Brooks
Class, 1984

“The most meaningful activity to me is Upward Bound. Upward Bound gave me strength to accomplish my dreams and go after what I want in life. When I first joined Upward Bound, I was quiet and did not care too much about what I wanted to do in life. With the program’s help I improved my speaking skills and held an elective office in Upward Bound. With the skills I gained from Upward Bound, I don’t consider myself a failure in anything. I know that as long as I try my best, I will always accomplish.”

~Altangla M. Snipes
Class, 1989

“Upward Bound greatly influenced by fife. It challenged me and helped me set realistic goals and taught me responsibility. By being in Upward Bound, you get a head start in life.”

~Deloris Williams
Class, 1996

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Decade of 1990s

“Upward Bound helped me reach my goals that I thought were impossible. …Without Upward Bound I probably would not have strived for the best as hard as I did.”

~Miranda Lane
Class, 1995

“Upward Bound and its significance to me is something very special. I feel I am very special to have received the outside love and caring that Upward Bound has given me. The program will always be a special part of my life, without Upward Bound, there would have been a lot of things different in my life, not for better but for worse.”

~Nicole Henry
Class, 1992

“Upward Bound greatly influenced by fife. It challenged me and helped me set realistic goals and taught me responsibility. By being in Upward Bound, you get a head start in life.”

~Deloris Williams
Class, 1996

“Upward bound is a very important part of my life. It has helped me to grow in many ways that are unexplainable.”

~April Buie
Class, 1996

“Upward Bound changed me in so many ways. The support from staff members has really pushed me along the way. Because of the program, I will not let anyone or anything hold me down.”

~Kenita Upchurch
Class, 1997

“Upward Bound has given me the chance to go to college and reach all of my goals in life. It also helped me reach all my potential as a high school grad.

~Sara D. Cardaro
Class, 1998

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Decade of 2000s

“The Upward Bound Program has helped me grow as an individual. Leadership, determination, and other vital qualities have been instilled in me over the past four years, through your encouragement.”

~Nakesha Danielle Heck
Class, 2001

“Upward Bound has shown me the path to the future and now I must pick up the torch that they have left for me and light the rest of my way into my future.”

~Von Cobb
Class, 2001

“All four years in Upward Bound have been wonderful. I have met many lifetime friends and it has given me so many opportunities to advance above my fellow classmates at school. It has taught me to be open and to make new friends.”

~Laytoa Torain
Class, 2003

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