With relaxing music in the background and a few favorite snacks, Yared Benitez settles down to study in 60-minute intervals, taking 10-15 minute breaks in between. It’s how the SIUE Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Collinsville High School (CHS) program student earned and keeps straight A’s. 

“I’m a perfectionist, but I enjoy learning,” said the 14-year-old high school freshman. “I like going to school, because I get to learn more about all kinds of subjects.” 

“Even in making straight A’s, I don’t let that stop me from improving,” Benitez continued. “I will ask teachers how I can improve. Also, my parents are there to support me and that makes me feel better.” 

The eldest of three children of Alen and Kenia, native of Nayarit, Mexico, Benitez also confided that he wants to do well and succeed so he can one day help his parents. 

“My parents have done so much for me,” he said. “Doing well in school and life is the least I can do.” 

Benitez was one of several UBMS students who received awards during the program’s Summer Showcase and Awards Ceremony. He received the following awards:

• Underclass Excellence in American Sign Language
• Underclass Excellence in STEM
• Perfect Attendance

Benitez is interested in the medical field and has considered becoming a pathologist or an anesthesiologist.

“The medical field has always been captivating to me, because it’s a way I can help people in need,” said Benitez.

For students looking to do well in school, Benitez heartily recommends UBMS.

“It’s an amazing program. You won’t regret it,” he continued. “Upward Bound has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve improved my learning skills. I’ve made new friends, and the staff is great.”

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from Collinsville. Participants receive instruction in advanced mathematics and science during the school day, homework assistance and hands-on STEM workshops twice a week after school, and cultural, career and college preparation on Saturdays. During the summer, students participate in a six-week residential program that allows participants to reside on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus and undergo college preparedness. Services provided prepare students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary STEM degree programs. The program is designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. For more information about how you can get involved in our program, please visit us at collinsvilleubms.com. 

Gregory Johnson II looks forward to coming to work each day. It’s the students in the SIUE East St. Louis Center Collinsville’s Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) program that feed his drive and excitement. 

“I look forward to coming to work each day to witness our scholars mature and work toward their individual and collective goals,” said Johnson, UBSA counselor and social emotional services supervisor. 

Johnson has worked with the program since March 2020. His duties include supervising all graduate assistants, recruiting scholars, advising scholars, maintaining structure of daily activities and assisting UBSA Program Director Yvonne Hart.   

“SIUE TRIO Upward Bound Scholars Academy is changing lives by making an impact through cultural awareness, leadership, community involvement and post-secondary exposure,” said Johnson. “We are able to meet these needs by providing individual advising sessions, peer mentoring, college visits and tours, and establishing partnerships in order to help raise awareness for things such as addiction and cancer.” 

“Working for Upward Bound Scholars Academy has been delightful,” he added. “I am ecstatic to be part of our students educational, career and life journey.” 

Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) is a TRIO program federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. UBSA serves Collinsville High School students, ages 14-19, from low-income families and from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. 

• Thursday, Sept. 29 at the SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) - PCs for People event from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. PCs for People is an organization that provides refurbished computers to eligible customers at no cost, as well as provides training and technical support.  

• Tuesday, Oct. 4-Monday, Oct. 10 is World Space Week and the LRC is celebrating all month long with a space-themed contest.  Participants are encouraged to create anything space related (e.g. a rocket, alien, planet, stars, etc.) using the medium of their choosing (e.g. clay, paper, blocks, a digital platform, etc.) and submit a photo of it to the LRC email, siue.esl.library@siue.edu, by Sunday, Oct. 23.  A winner will be chosen at random and will win a NASA Apollo Saturn V Lego Set! 

• On Friday, Oct. 7, the LRC is partnering with Art Hive for a community art event.  From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., community members can participate in a pop-up art studio.  All materials will be provided and creative expression is encouraged. 

• On Tuesday, Oct. 18 from noon-1 p.m., the LRC is hosting the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter for an educational program, 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s. This event will be available both in person and via Zoom.  Interested participants should register at: forms.office.com/r/cYXLK1jMTP.  

• The monthly LRC Book Club will meet from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 in person and via Zoom. October’s book is The Fallen Angels Book Club by R. Franklin James.  Contact the LRC to sign up and reserve your free copy.  

• Movie Matinees are returning for the month of October. Join the LRC each Thursday beginning at 3:30 p.m. for a movie, popcorn and snacks. 

• Starting in October, the LRC is partnering with the Metro East Diaper Bank to be a distribution center for diapers. Available will be sizes 1-3. The LRC will give away up to 200 diapers each month at no cost and on a first-come, first-served basis.

SIUE LRC Displays East St. Louis Construction Manager Janfrey Preston’s Work and Art

From the construction of significant structures in East St. Louis, such as the East St. Louis City Municipal Complex, the Mary Brown Neighborhood Center, the Medical Arts Building, the Mental Health Center of St. Clair County, multiple churches and schools including the Illinois State Community College, now known as the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus, the late prolific construction manager Janfrey Preston and his family have made an indelible mark on the City.

SIUE Upward Bound Students Enjoy Lessons Learned at Swarovski Water School

Similar to being on such major rivers as the Nile, the Ganges or the Amazon, this summer, 15 students from the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) program participated in the Swarovski Water School, using the Mississippi River as a classroom. 

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Staff Encouraged to Get on Road to Wellness

A healthy portion of instruction, strategies and tips on wellbeing and mindful living was served to SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) staff members during an in-person, pre-service session and workshop entitled Journey to Wellness on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. Nutrition and dietetics expert, empowerment and wellness influencer, public speaker and author Reshaunda Thornton was the featured presenter. 

SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Students Arrive to Red-Carpet First Day

“You are awesome!” “So good to see you!” “This is going to be your year!” These were some of the personalized shouts of welcome and praise that greeted each SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) student who walked down a red carpet on their first day of school, Monday, Aug. 15.

Incoming Freshmen Extol the Virtues of SIUE’s Summer Success Program

Completing SIUE's five-week Summer Success Program (SSP) was “a great way to experience college with training wheels on,” said Marleigh Toenyes, of Wood River.