Great Bend Post
The Barton County Upward Bound program began in 1999 to serve students from diverse backgrounds who aspire to complete a college degree. Federally funded, the college preparation program sponsored by Barton Community College, works with high school students in Great Bend, Hoisington and Ellinwood. The program improves the students’ academic skills and exposes them to the workplace, careers, college visits and cultural aspects of the region.
Barton
County Upward Bound Director Kelsey Hall said the group of students also focus
on community service.
"We do tutoring, book clubs, community service, college visits, workshops and cultural events," said Hall. "We've put a big focus on our community service. We want our kids building that connection to their local community, being able to give back to it. It also helps when they're applying for scholarships, saying here's what I've done in my community and the impact I'm making."
There are 60 first generation and/or low income students participating in the program
this year. Two of the Upward Bound high school students are taking a full-time
concurrent course load, and one senior will graduate with an associate’s degree
from Barton and receive her high school diploma this May. More than 230 Barton
Community College credit hours were completed by the Upward Bound class of
2023.
Find out more at bartonccc.edu.