HMC
High School Days | College Years
HIGH SCHOOL DAYS
Reflecting on your Upward Bound experience, what were some of the highlights of your participation?
There are so many highlights. I enjoyed the Summer Programs so much! I loved living in college dorms like at Harvey Mudd, U.C. Davis and Georgetown. One of the things that I always remembered in college was how Upward Bound not only prepared me academically, but also professionally. For instance, I learned how to prepare myself for job interviews and how to dress professionally. This might not seem like a big deal, but even to this day I encounter people that still do not know what professionalism is. I also remember the campus visits and the fun fieldtrips! I loved the road trip on the East Coast, seeing so many campuses like Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins and University of Virginia. One of the most important highlights is the structure of the Upward Bound program. I think its goal of helping scholars pursue a post-secondary education definitely works.
Which summer programs did you complete, and if you had to choose a favorite one (Academic Frontiers, La Jolla Science Project, Capitol Internship Project, Georgetown Project), which would it be and why?
I completed Academic Frontiers, Capitol Internship Project and the Georgetown Project. My favorite was the Georgetown Project because it was a privilege to attend this portion of the program. It was a completely different experience than I had ever encountered before, and I loved being across the country in a whole different setting. Moreover, it impacted my life because it allowed me to see myself in a four-year university—something the program always instilled in its scholars, but it wasn’t until then that it became a reality for me. Maybe it was because I was going to be applying to schools the following fall. This was one of the best memories I have because I was at Georgetown University learning new academic concepts and learning a little bit about the real world.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your internship mentors?
I keep in touch with some of my mentors who were instructors at Georgetown.
What are the most important lessons you learned from Upward Bound and do you feel that your participation helped prepare you for college?
The Upward Bound Program and its staff taught me to pursue my education. Through my four years in the program I learned that education is one of the most valuable assets anyone can have. I thank the staff to this day because their lessons allowed me to believe in myself. In my home, no one knew about college. But this program helped my family and me. It definitely prepared me to go to college. I never knew about SATs, personal statements, Cal States, UCs, internships or anything relating to a college education. I thought that people simply worked after high school. But this program opened my eyes to many opportunities. Today I proudly say that I am an Upward Bound Alumni because it helped me achieve a dream I never even knew about.
COLLEGE YEARS
Which college or university did you enroll in after high school?
I enrolled in the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Are you currently enrolled?
No. I’ve already graduated — UCSB Class of 2008
What is/was your major and how did you choose it?
I double majored in global studies and Chicano studies.
I chose Latino studies because I enjoyed learning about the history of Chicanos/Latinos in the United States, and how we shape our country. I chose global studies because I love learning about the crucial issues that affect us on an individual level, how the world is interconnected and how we affect third-world countries.
Ultimately, these majors will help me accomplish a goal of helping people all around the world. I feel like I’ve already begun on a local level through guiding other Upward Bound Scholars. But I will one day be part of an international organization to help more people.
When do you plan to graduate? Or, if you’ve already completed your undergraduate education, are you planning to pursue a master’s degree?
I am currently researching graduate programs. I would like to pursue a master in educational policy or international studies.
What’s the best advice you would want to share with current Upward Bound high school students?
To enjoy it and take advantage of the opportunities this program offers. It is a once-in-a lifetime experience and everything is free. You gain so much from being away for the summers with new people and the staff. I will forever be thankful to the Harvey Mudd Classic Upward Bound Program and my mentors at the time: Angie, Ruby, Mary, Jim, Marissa, Felipe and the RAs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
Is there any other information about you—personal, academic or professional—that you would like to share with UB?
Personal:
I am a member of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., a non-profit organization that focuses on academics, community service and sisterhood. This organization prepared me to become a strong Latina in my community.
Professional:
I currently work as an academic counselor for TELACU Classic Upward Bound with four different schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District: Wilson High School, South Gate High School, Bell High School and Lincoln High School.
Cendy Vides
El Monte High School
Class of 2004
High School Days | College Years
Additional Information
HIGH SCHOOL DAYS
Reflecting on your Upward Bound experience, what were some of the highlights of your participation?
There are so many highlights. I enjoyed the Summer Programs so much! I loved living in college dorms like at Harvey Mudd, U.C. Davis and Georgetown. One of the things that I always remembered in college was how Upward Bound not only prepared me academically, but also professionally. For instance, I learned how to prepare myself for job interviews and how to dress professionally. This might not seem like a big deal, but even to this day I encounter people that still do not know what professionalism is. I also remember the campus visits and the fun fieldtrips! I loved the road trip on the East Coast, seeing so many campuses like Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins and University of Virginia. One of the most important highlights is the structure of the Upward Bound program. I think its goal of helping scholars pursue a post-secondary education definitely works.
Which summer programs did you complete, and if you had to choose a favorite one (Academic Frontiers, La Jolla Science Project, Capitol Internship Project, Georgetown Project), which would it be and why?
I completed Academic Frontiers, Capitol Internship Project and the Georgetown Project. My favorite was the Georgetown Project because it was a privilege to attend this portion of the program. It was a completely different experience than I had ever encountered before, and I loved being across the country in a whole different setting. Moreover, it impacted my life because it allowed me to see myself in a four-year university—something the program always instilled in its scholars, but it wasn’t until then that it became a reality for me. Maybe it was because I was going to be applying to schools the following fall. This was one of the best memories I have because I was at Georgetown University learning new academic concepts and learning a little bit about the real world.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your internship mentors?
I keep in touch with some of my mentors who were instructors at Georgetown.
What are the most important lessons you learned from Upward Bound and do you feel that your participation helped prepare you for college?
The Upward Bound Program and its staff taught me to pursue my education. Through my four years in the program I learned that education is one of the most valuable assets anyone can have. I thank the staff to this day because their lessons allowed me to believe in myself. In my home, no one knew about college. But this program helped my family and me. It definitely prepared me to go to college. I never knew about SATs, personal statements, Cal States, UCs, internships or anything relating to a college education. I thought that people simply worked after high school. But this program opened my eyes to many opportunities. Today I proudly say that I am an Upward Bound Alumni because it helped me achieve a dream I never even knew about.
COLLEGE YEARS
Which college or university did you enroll in after high school?
I enrolled in the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Are you currently enrolled?
No. I’ve already graduated — UCSB Class of 2008
What is/was your major and how did you choose it?
I double majored in global studies and Chicano studies.
I chose Latino studies because I enjoyed learning about the history of Chicanos/Latinos in the United States, and how we shape our country. I chose global studies because I love learning about the crucial issues that affect us on an individual level, how the world is interconnected and how we affect third-world countries.
Ultimately, these majors will help me accomplish a goal of helping people all around the world. I feel like I’ve already begun on a local level through guiding other Upward Bound Scholars. But I will one day be part of an international organization to help more people.
When do you plan to graduate? Or, if you’ve already completed your undergraduate education, are you planning to pursue a master’s degree?
I am currently researching graduate programs. I would like to pursue a master in educational policy or international studies.
What’s the best advice you would want to share with current Upward Bound high school students?
To enjoy it and take advantage of the opportunities this program offers. It is a once-in-a lifetime experience and everything is free. You gain so much from being away for the summers with new people and the staff. I will forever be thankful to the Harvey Mudd Classic Upward Bound Program and my mentors at the time: Angie, Ruby, Mary, Jim, Marissa, Felipe and the RAs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
Is there any other information about you—personal, academic or professional—that you would like to share with UB?
Personal:
I am a member of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., a non-profit organization that focuses on academics, community service and sisterhood. This organization prepared me to become a strong Latina in my community.
Professional:
I currently work as an academic counselor for TELACU Classic Upward Bound with four different schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District: Wilson High School, South Gate High School, Bell High School and Lincoln High School.
Copyright 2012 Harvey Mudd College