TRIO GEAR UP Student Profiles 2022

Northeast Magnet high school senior Amarie Williams is a shining example of the great hope, promise we have for our young leaders. Williams began playing the cello at the age of seven. From private lessons to performing in children and youth orchestras. Williams is known as one of the most skilled cellists in the city. Current activities include performances with the Wichita Symphony and she was selected for state orchestra.               

Williams was selected to participate in the mayor’s Youth Council where she helped to address important issues including food insecurity in Wichita.  She is also a National Honor Society Representative, on the Northeast Magnet High School Student Council, and a participant in Wichita State’s Communication Upward Bound program. Williams has maintained a 4.0 GPA in her senior year and 3.8 cumulative GPA throughout high school.

Williams has applied to 12 colleges and universities and has been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, University of Kansas, University of Buffalo, Western Washington University, and the University of Colorado.  Her top choices are Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern University, and the University of Buffalo.  She plans to major in neuroscience.

In 2016, Aunjnae White moved away from family and friends to attend Wichita State. Her goal was to graduate in six years with a social work degree. This would be no easy task for White as a first-generation college student because she needed resources and guidance to assist her along the way. White joined the TRIO Disability Support Services where she received scholarships, textbooks, and overall support. She met regularly with her DSS advisors to discuss academic plans and as her confidence grew, she become involved with the First-Gen Student Organization and the Psi Chi Honor Society.

In Fall 2021, White graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in women’s studies. Currently, she is a behavioral specialist for children with autism and will begin working with women and children in a domestic violence shelter. White was accepted to the University of Missouri’s Master of Social Work program and is scheduled to begin graduate studies in the Summer.

She recently shared some words of encouragement for students. “Don’t let the disability you have effect your work. You are more than you imagine. You are bright and smart. Keep courage”. 

Gail Sullivan is an adult learner who originally applied to the EOC Program in 2019. Life got in the way and she was not able to pursue her dream of furthering her education at that time. With encouragement from one of the EOC partnering community agencies (Urban League of Kansas) Gail reached out to the EOC program again last spring. She was determined to make a better life for herself and her family.

When Gail first applied to EOC, she was working as a CNA, but she was dreaming and hoping for more out of life. Gail was looking for a career that would allow her to increase her income base as a means to firmly stabilize her family. Additionally, she had strong desire to help other persons living in the Wichita community to achieve their personal goals.

Following the Guided Pathways to College approach, EOC Program staff assisted Gail to choose a major, apply for financial aid, and apply for admission to college. As a result, Gail is now enrolled in the Shocker Pathway program at WSU Tech. Her ultimate goal is to earn a degree in Social Work and Certification in Addiction Counseling from Wichita State University.  Gail is one example of how EOC works to help adults re-enter the workforce as educated personnel.

Jeanett Barrera is currently a freshman at Campus High School in the Haysville School District. She works hard to be successful and has a 4.375 GPA, including advanced placement and honors courses. Her academic excellence has been capitalized by her involvement in a variety of extracurriculars and clubs including the Sign Language Club, Drama Club, tennis, forensics and STUCO. Her future aspirations are to become a lawyer after attending her dream university—Yale. However, she’s keeping her options open!

When asked what motivates Barrera, she replied, “One of the main things to motivate me would definitely be my family! They always support me in everything I put my mind to so I’m always trying my hardest to make them proud!” Barrera also showed appreciation for Haysville GEAR UP, “They are always doing a good job of checking up on me. It’s good for me to know that I have that extra support and help in case there comes a time when I will need it.”

The Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP staff located in western Kansas first met Johnathan in the Fall of 2020 at Garden City High School. Johnathan had been involved in KKGU for a few years and re-enrolled in the program for the services. Some of the program activities he received included academic planning, career counseling, financial aid assistance, and college preparation.

Johnathan was a senior at Garden City High School who had not considered attending college after graduation. He was a quiet individual who lacked confidence. The KKGU staff spent a lot of time with Johnathan while getting to know him and his strengths. The staff learned that he was a caring person who enjoyed volunteering at a local homeless shelter and helping others get back on their feet. As a young adult, Johnathan was in Saint Francis Ministries custody and credits this experience to shaping his character.

The KKGU staff was able to assist Johnathan in building self-confidence, planning goals, and pursuing a post-secondary education at the local community college where he is currently enrolled. He received assistance with creating a resume, applying for college admissions, and applying for many scholarships.

Brenda Le has been a participant in the McNair Scholars Program since 2020. Le was also a participant in the Upward Bound Math Science program as a high school student. She joined the program to commit to the goal of pursuing graduate studies. Le completed an undergraduate research project examining the role of youth sports on health outcomes into adulthood with McNair alum Janelle Petrisor, DPT and Assistant Professor Heidi VanRavenhorst-Bell, PhD. Le will graduate in spring 2022 and then enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Wichita State this summer.   

Brittany Spires graduated with a bachelor’s in general studies majoring in psychology. She minored in creative writing, sociology, and women’s studies. Spires also received a Tilford Diversity Certificate. Currently, she is gathering information about graduate school and looking for work. She was in the Student Support Services program at WSU for five years. During this time, she indicated that SSS gave her the confidence she needed to return to college through workshops and resources that helped her with finances, resumes, time-management, goal setting and stress management. When asked what SSS services she found to be most beneficial, Spires cited tutoring, book check-out, computer lab, and resume building.

Alexandria Butler, senior at Northwest High School and TRIO Talent Search participant, wants to study criminal psychology and have a minor in business administration. Since this is her final year in high school, she wants to make certain that she is making good decisions for the future. Thus far, Butler has been accepted to Western Washington University, Washington State University, and Seattle Pacific University. She indicated to the Talent Search staff that it’s been difficult to decide since more offers are still coming in.

Butler keeps herself busy being involved in the NWHS community fridge project, feminist club, National Honors Society, Mayors Youth Council, Diversity and Inclusion, Wichita Safe Streets, and city-wide madrigals and concert choir. In her spare times she works at Woofs Play and Stay or one may find her cooking meals from scratch.

When asked how TRIO has helped her, she said, “I learned how to network and connect with my peers. When I enter a classroom, I feel sure of myself and what I can do. I've learned discipline with academics and have become a top performing student because of the replication of college courses in TRIO.”

Mason Pierce began his participation in Veterans Upward Bound in 2021. He is currently majoring in exercise science after serving in the U.S. Air Force. When asked how VUB has helped him he said, “After being retired from the Airforce, I did not know where to begin when it came to college. VUB helped pave the path for me starting out by showing me how things worked, gave me a math pre-test, showed me what I needed to do and still provides useful tools and information that help me continue on my path. Without VUB I can say that my beginning to this road would not have been as streamlined and smooth of a transition.” He plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy in the future.

As a senior at Southeast High School also a participant in the TRIO Upward Bound Empowerment Program at WSU, Paola Trevizo started the program when she was a freshman.  She joined the program because she wanted to graduate high school, go to college and obtain a degree. Trevizo is a first-generation student, and she understands the importance of the program in helping her to be fully prepared for postsecondary education. 

Trevizo credits the program for helping her to keep her grades up and her perfect 4.0 GPA. She has earned college credit through WSU Tech, taken government classes in the summer, attends Saturday sessions, and goes to class meetings. Trevizo is hard working and determined to be the best student possible while envisioning a successful future.

She is passionate about helping people and according to her program advisors she has outstanding leadership traits.  She always wants to help her peers and offers them positive feedback on speeches or presentations when they practice and study together.  Trevizo is the oldest of four children and wants to set an example for her younger siblings so they can see what it takes to be a great student.

Upward Bound Math-Science is excited to highlight student Daniel Rodriguez. He is a junior at Wichita North High School and has participated in UBMS since 2020. Daniel is a very talented singer with ambitions to continue growing his passion for music and to educate others.

Since being in UBMS, Rodriguez has regularly participated in activities that range from college visits, summer activities, ACT prep workshops, Saturday sessions, and more. He is a student that the staff can rely on to follow directions and lead others. UBMS has had the privilege of seeing Rodriguez being active in community service opportunities and at his church. He is very passionate about music and has sung for his school at the state level with the All Nationals Mixed Choir for the past two years. He is a stellar student who takes advanced classes and often takes advantage of the many ACT prep and educational opportunities UBMS offers.

Rodriguez plans to continue his passion for music at the college level. He has not decided what he wants to do after completing college, but he shared that it might involve teaching and sharing his love for music with the next generation.

Cristina Deloera is a senior at Wichita East High School and an Upward Bound Wichita Prep participant.  She is very active and has many accolades and awards. Deloera came to UBWP as a kind, intelligent, shy and quiet student. When she would talk, she would put her hands in front of her face, and she would look down or away. Her grades were okay, but nothing she put a lot of effort or attention into.

When Deloera was asked about her UBWP experience she shared “I didn’t think I would get accepted, but I did, and I got this really good opportunity. It’s made an impact on my life, because of the experiences, such as the summer (UBWP summer program). I didn’t think I had talent, but I found out that my talents help others. It has helped me find out who I am as a person.”

Deloera also shared that while in UBWP she purchased, with the help of the stipend she receives for being a participant, her first laptop. As one of six children, she didn’t want to burden her parents for one. She is an excellent example of the UBWP tradition.