Program plants ideas of college

Some students face challenges beyond grades to get into college. Many parents cannot afford it, while others don't know much about pursuing education beyond high school.

To ease such challenges, the annual Upward Bound summer program began this week at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

The college preparatory program puts high school students from low-income families, or those where nobody else has ever attended college, in a university setting. Students live on campus for five weeks while taking college-level courses.

Diva Ward, director of Upward Bound at CLU, said the students have a real chance to grow and be accountable for themselves. "I think they get the college experience and see what it's like to be away from home," she said.

This summer, Upward Bound is running two programs. The regular program includes about 60 students from six Ventura County high schools. Participants take two courses and can receive up to 10 credits.

A sister program emphasizes math and science and includes students interested in pursuing careers in those fields. Participants, 54 this year, take four college-level courses and come from all over the nation.

Many participants said they were ready for a taste of college life. Jonathan Alcantar, 17, who will be a senior at Oxnard's Pacifica High School in the fall, is in his third summer of Upward Bound and said he's learned a lot.

"I was looking at community college at first, but now it made me want to apply to (four-year) colleges," Alcantar said.

The Upward Bound program is funded by a $330,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education and is free for participants. The program aims to increase the number of high school graduates pursuing higher education, while increasing competency in basic subjects like math, science, English and foreign languages.

Registration for the program is closed. Students are encouraged to apply during the school year.

Ward said the program does a great job of keeping students focused on college aspirations. "It makes college a given," she said. "They know that they're going to college."

Alcantar said the program has done a great job of pushing him toward college. "Strive for success and don't let anything bring you down," said Alcantar, who would be the first in his family to attend college.

"Money is not an issue. If you put your mind to it, you can do it."