Shoot for the Stars: Upward Bound’s SGA Induction by Jadelyn Villa

As dozens of people shuffle into the theater, muffled voices bounce off dimly lit walls. Many get comfy and sink into their padded auditorium seats, while others mingle and catch up with friends and family members, heels clacking and laughter echoing amongst the soft chatter.

But once the microphone adjusts and the spotlight beams onto the stage, the eager audience’s attention is diverted to the screen in applause and cheer; the main event of the evening has commenced.

On Thursday, April 10th, TRiO’s Upward Bound Program at Passaic County Community College hosted an induction ceremony from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Paterson Theater. The event aimed to honor their high school student government members and leaders, uplifting them and recognizing them for their academic and communal efforts.

Upward Bound is a federally funded college preparatory program for secondary education students in Passaic. It targets those who may come from low-income areas or lack the support necessary to thrive on their scholastic journey, with college and career achievement as the ultimate goal. Furthermore, the program comes at no additional cost for eligible 9th to 12th grade students, providing opportunities previously out of reach to Passaic high schoolers.

Casiano opening the event

Solange Casiano, the SGA Advisor for Upward Bound, provided an introduction to these opportunities during the commencement of the ceremony. Casiano affirmed, “As our students continue to lead, rise, and inspire, today we celebrate not only their achievements, but the character, courage, and commitment that brought them here today.”

For native Spanish speakers in the audience, Counselor & Career Specialist Ambar Rodriguez (MSW, LSW) provided a translation of Casiano’s speech following its conclusion.

After the introductory address, the Assistant Director of Upward Bound, Miss Ghee, gave a short statement in thanks to all those who made the program’s student government association possible.

“We try and teach them so many different things about life,” Ghee started, “about how to use their voice, and the importance of just knowing who you are as a person.” She referenced Upward Bound Coordinator Jeffrey Bryan and the actions he took toward creating a student government for the program, additionally thanking Casiano and Rodriguez along the way: “I am so honored to be a part of this program, because they really showed out.”

After a thundering applause for both the students and their supporters, Ghee invited PCCC SGA President Tiffany Guerrero to the podium to provide insight on her unique position. She paid homage to the bountiful experiences and wisdom she gained at the community college, claiming, “It was one of the best decisions coming here and getting all of these incredible opportunities.” Guerrero closed off her speech praising the inductees and wishing them a successful college life.

Student Wendy Ramirez, the Upward Bound SGA President, was next in line to express a few words to the audience. Though soft-spoken, her voice was heard throughout the theater as she affirmed her triumphs from the program, beaming toward her fellow members. Shortly after, the aforementioned coordinator of the initiative formally began the induction ceremony.

With a passionate welcome, Bryan gave an articulate speech aimed at motivating his students to consistently strive for success. He made a point to remind them to lead with integrity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience in their academic and professional lives, touching on each phrase and their context to the program. Bryan stated, “Leadership is not about strictly making decisions, but also understanding the people you serve… with these four principles, I want you all to go on and lead with excellence!”

Upward Bound Coordinator Jeffrey Bryan

With a final congratulatory remark, the pinning ceremony began. 16 Passaic High School students were inducted into the Upward Bound SGA, certified by an oath conducted by Bryan. Following this, Director of Pre-College Programs, Dawn Brunson, wrapped the night up with her own set of principles, symbolizing an inspiring acronym for the letters of “pin”:

“When you see your pin, remember the P stands for purpose, you have integrity to impact and change not only your life, but the lives of others– and we have network.”

The commemoration ended with a self-serve dinner in the Paterson Room, where the students rejoined with their loved ones to discuss the evening and enjoy a hot meal. Any questions regarding TRiO’s Upward Bound Pre-College program can be directed to ub@pccc.edu.