Graduation Season

Throughout May and June, LAYC and the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) celebrated several graduations to commemorate the academic success of participants.

Amongst friends and families, ten Upward Bound graduates received awards and certificates during an awards ceremony and Upward Bound senior send-off celebration. Partnering organizations National Council of La Raza and George Washington University also attended the event. All Upward Bound graduating seniors have been accepted to colleges across the nation: University of Virginia, George Washington University, Delaware State University, and many others. The graduates received approximately $150,000 in scholarships.

Meet the graduates:

Upward Bound

Ngozi Agbara

Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy – Parkside Campus
Quote to Live By: “If there is no struggle there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass
Selected College: Virginia State University.

Ngozi has been part of the Upward Bound program for the past three years of her high school career. She is a dedicated member of the Upward Bound family and her community.  She is also a well versed poet, who uses her talents as a writer as a means to uplift others. Ngozi’s most memorable moment of the Upward Bound program, is visiting diverse universities while in Atlanta. Ngozi will be studying Mass Communications with a concentration in Print Journalism at Virginia State University this coming fall.

Walter Alvarez

Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy – Parkside Campus
Quote to Live By: “Nothing in this world is free; you have to work hard to achieve what you want.”
Selected College: Allegany College of Maryland

Walter has been part of the Upward Bound program since the summer before his freshman year of high school. Walter is a very sociable young man and has been involved in numerous community services projects. He has done work with juvenile justice, efforts to “re-green” D.C., and as a physician assistant. Visiting different college campuses is Walter’s favorite memory of the program. Walter will be studying Biology at Allegany College this coming fall and hopes to become a teacher.

Eframe Ayalew

Bell Multicultural High School
Quote to Live By: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Selected College: St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Eframe has been a participant of the program for three years.  He is a bright man with a great deal of potential. His favorite memories of the program were the summer trip to Boston because where he had the opportunity of visiting MIT and Boston University, and the summer component at George Washington University’s campus. Eframe has been awarded numerous scholarships and was the only student in Washington, DC awarded the Dell Scholarship ($20,000). Eframe plans on studying Mechanical Engineering in the fall.

Nadia Calix

Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School and Public Policy – Parkside Campus
Quote to Live By: “Don’t Give Up and Don’t Give in”
Selected College: University of the District of Columbia

Nadia has been a participant of the Upward Bound program since the summer before her freshman year of high school. Nadia has volunteered her time by working with children and as an assistant at Howard University hospital. Nadia’s favorite memory of the program was when Lupi pulled a prank on the students that involved the police. Nadia will be studying Biology this upcoming fall and hopes to become a nurse.

Natnael Etuma

Bell Multicultural High School
Quote to Live By: “Education is the key to success. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
Selected College: University of Virginia

Natnael has been part of the Upward Bound Program since his freshman year of high school. Natnael is a very bright student and his efforts have been rewarded. Natnael received the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. Natnael enjoyed the summer component on George Washington’s campus and the college trips to Atlanta, Boston and New York. Natnael will be studying Biomedical Science this upcoming fall and hopes to be the doctor who finds a cure for AIDS.

Julius Johnson

Bell Multicultural High School
Quote to Live By: “Life is a game; I just play to win.”
Selected College: Bowie State University

Julius has been a participant of the Upward Bound program since his sophomore year of high school. Julius’ favorite memory of the program was the Atlanta trip. Julius is a very bright student, passionate about football and is very active in his school. He is part of the JROTC, Yearbook Club, Student Council, Football and Wrestling teams. He has also volunteered his time working with the homeless. He will be studying Sports Medicine and wants to be a Physical Therapist for a professional football team.

Odinga Johnson

Coolidge Senior High School
Quote to Live By: “Live life to the fullest because each day might be your last.”
Selected College: Virginia State University

Odinga has been a participant of the program since the summer before his freshman year of high school. He is extremely involved in his community and has worked with the DC Advisory Youth Council and Future Business Leaders of America.  Odinga has traveled abroad to various countries including Ghana and Guatemala. Odinga is a very compassionate young man with amazing talent for photography. Odinga will be studying Photography this upcoming fall and wants to become a professional photographer.

Leticia Martinez

Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy – Parkside Campus
Quote to Live By: “Even if you are in the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”
Selected College: Still awaiting acceptances

Leticia has been part of the Upward Bound program since her sophomore year of high school. Her favorite Upward Bound memory is when she saw RENT on Broadway during the college tour in New York.  Her creativity and passion for life will ensure success in college and beyond. She is a caring and motivated young lady who is interested in pursing a career as a Pharmacist. 

Lyndsey Newsome

Bell Multicultural High School
Quote to Live By: “Don’t waste your life.”
Selected College: St. John’s University

Lyndsey has been a participant in the program since her freshman year of high school. Lyndsey is a very artisitic young lady and has a lot of great experience in film production. She has worked with the Young Play Wrights Theatre and A Weigh with Words. Her favorite memory from the program was going on the New York trip. Lyndsey will be studying Film and Television Production this coming fall. She hopes to own her own film production company in the future.

Jacqueline Rodriguez

Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy – Capitol Hill Campus
Quote to Live By: “Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake.”
Selected College: St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Jacqueline has been part of the Upward Bound program since her freshman year of high school. Jacqueline is a young woman whose intellectual ability and leadership skills has and will take her to great success.  She has worked with a number of different organizations that deal with immigration and helping others. Her favorite memory of the program was when she first stayed at George Washington’s campus for the summer component. She did not expect the residential component to be so much fun. She will be studying Political Science this coming fall and hopes to be an immigration lawyer.