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 Parents and Friends of Collinsville High School Students Applaud Successes   

“This was the best decision of my life,” said 16-year-old Collinsville High School (CHS) sophomore Lillian O’Donnell. O’Donnell won medals and trophies at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Scholars Academy’s (UBSA) annual Awards Ceremony Thursday, May 8 at the CHS Auditorium.  

“Enrolling in Upward Bound Scholars Academy has opened so many doors for me. It has also unlocked a new, better version of myself,” said O’Donnell, who received awards for Outstanding Scholar of the Year, A-T.E.A.M., Honor Roll and September Scholar of the Month. “If there had been no Upward Bound Scholars Academy, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. It has changed my life in so many ways.” O’Donnell, who has a 4.26 weighted GPA, is considering a career in art therapy, middle school education or child life specialization. SIUE is also one of the schools she is eyeing for college. 

O’Donnell was just one of the many students who streamed back and forth to the stage to receive accolades. The awards night was a time to honor academic excellence, tenacity, improvement and leadership, according to UBSA Program Director Yvonne Hart. 

“Our scholars did exceptionally well this year,” said Hart. “More than half of them made the honor roll. All of them showed great potential, interest and improvement by the end of the year.” 

Students received awards for the following categories: 

• Most Improved
• Honor Roll
• Rising Stars
• Scholar of the Month
• A-T.E.A.M.
• Outstanding Scholars

“This awards program was particularly hard for me,” said UBSA Counselor Gregory Johnson II. “This is the first class of students that I’ve had for all four years. They are my babies. I’m so proud of all of them.” 

One example of an object of Johnson’s gratification is CHS Valedictorian Naomi Hurst. 

“During my first interview with Upward Bound, I was shaky the entire time,” said Hurst in her valedictorian speech. “I had never done anything like that before.”

“Being a first-generation student, I didn’t know the process of getting into or going to college,” continued Hurst. “I found the counselors and advisors to be very helpful. They want you to gain a sense of strength that you would not be able to get on your own.” 

Others in the UBSA Class of 2025 include Justice Armstead, Allyson Baese, Jourdan Brocksmith, Jennifer Canseco, Marissa Collins, Cheyenne Duke, Samuel Hibbard, Miguel Ortiz, Emmelie Pacheco, Olivia Payne, Zachary Roeck, Andres Roman, Eldrick Rubio, Roselyn Sanchez, Angela Velazquez, Ella Warren, Gregory Wicks and Naomi Woodell. 

“Class of 2025, I am honored and privileged to serve these last four years with you all,” said Johnson. “We laughed. We cried. We engaged. We shared. We ‘turned up.’ And most of all, we conquered. You have proven that you are the key to success and are educated. Now go win this journey called life.” 

Hart recognized instructors in the audience who taught students and helped make UBSA’s summer session a success. They included: Danielle N. Lee, PhD, assistant professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Biological Sciences; and Jen Yoder, instructor in the CAS Department of English Language and Literature. 

Also helping with the UBSA Awards Ceremony were SIUE graduate students Kalusha Aguti and Lyla Hsu. 

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.  

Photos: SIUE Upward Bound Scholars Academy held its annual Awards Ceremony on May 8.

First row, left to right: Dr. Danielle N. Lee, SIUE assistant professor in Biological Sciences acknowledges remarks of appreciation from UBSA Program Director Yonne Hart; and Honor Roll.
Second row, left to right: A-T.E.A.M. and Scholars of the Month.

Third row, left to right: Rising Stars and Class Outstanding Scholars of the Year

Fourth row, left to right: Outstanding Scholar of the Year Lillian O’Donnell, Class of 2025 UBSA Graduates, and UBSA Counselor Gregory Johnson II.