Journal 7

Bridge has got to be the BEST year in all of Upward Bound. I learned a few things not only academically but socially as well. Bridge made me realize how important studying really is. Dr. Barnes' class made me study a lot. If I wouldn't have stepped up in studying my grades in her class alone would be much lower. I know have an idea roughly how much I need to study when the fall rolls around. ALOT. I have also come to realize that I need to be more organized, which is no surprise to me. I learned that in college you might only have class one day a week and you can't forget about its requirements; it is still a real class and is just as demanding in course work as your other classes. In addition, you might have lengthy papers and you don't want to wait to the last minute. Ms. Dana's got me to realize I need to proof read. In my future I might have 50% of my grade rideing on one paper; if I fail thats it, try again. A quote that I saw in highschool highly effects me now. "The secret of getting ahead, is getting started," I usually push what I do to the last minute. In highschool that may have been okay, but in college that's a no no. Ilearned what I should do is start papers early and work ca little bit every day so it doesn't seem like I am doing a lot. This way I won't be as Stressed. Socially I learned the importance and the benefit of our Bridge family. Starting off in the mornings every day Joe Lyle wakes a number of people up. He doesn't have to, he just wants to. This is looking out for the other Bridge brothersand sisters. I learned that if we all have eachothers backs like this living and learning is a lot easier. I also, learned that everyone isn't going to see eye to eye. We fight like brothers and sisters and in a day or two we are back to the happy family. The fact that we all have the same classes and live together we kind of keep eachother accountable and push oe another. We had times where we studied in groups which makes learning a little more fun.

Journal 6

My first impression of the King Kennedy kids was they are a wild group and don't take well to being told what to do. They would run around and do whatever they wanted to; they would roughhouse a lot and make fun of eachother; therefore, I concluded that they were just bad kids in general. Then I started to think of Upward Bound, and we are percieved the same way. Outsiders wouldn't know what UB is or what each individual in it stands for. All they see is that it is a perdominantly black group on campus and because their ignorance the see UB in a different light. Perhaps they think that UB is a group that needs extra help to catch up, when infact we are leading the way for others who want and will work hard to get a higher level of education. I apply this thought to the King Kenedy kids. The kids, for one, are at the center, meaning they are not out on the streets getting in the trouble they could be. At the center they are even learning things I haven't learned until this year in Bridge. The kids are intereacting with one another thus gaining communication skills and teamwork building skills. My new perception of these kids is that they might not be sure what direction they want to take in life, but they arent bad kids. They are kids with potiental. They have people like Ms. Connie and Tamera to look after them and guide them. They are on their way to a great future.

Journal 5

During the King Kennedy expierences, I would say a time of sucess was actually getting all the kids to play my first spelling game. It was an accompolishment because all the kids usually want to do the things that interet them-it isn't spelling. During King Kennedy a time of frusteration is when a paticular student kept saying disrespectful remarks to me and hit me between the legs with a stick. I becoming frusterated because we are supposed to be setting an example and I didn't want to yell at the kids so I just delt with it. I feel I I gave some of the kids someone to talk to about the things going on in their lives and school. I feel like in a small amount they will see we go to college and mabey decide to want that for themselves. I also feel that I help the kids have some organized activites. Thishelps because more than half of ones live he or she is told what to do by either teaches, parents, or coaches.... I expected to be working with the center on plans they had for the children, but it ended up being us making the plans. I think thst put a little bit of extra on us because we are trying to learn how are classes are and sometimes we would have to plan for King Kennedy. It may be helpful for the kings but King Kennedy isn't a class. I feel, however, King Kennedy is helping me to step up and become more of a leader.

The past week at the center was pretty much the same for the most part. We played sports and got to spend time with the kinds. However, I talked to Connie and we are going to have a Growing up pannel of discussion with the students which was a way my idea. So next week we be doing that.

Journal 4

When I go to the center I bring all my original values with me. I feel the kids should be nice to one another and get along. I also bring all my other beliefs with me: honesty, respect, and generally just the willing to help out. I feel these values help me at the center. I would like to think that the kids can come talk to me and trust me not to tell other kids what they tell me. I use my previous skills and as a building block to develope knew skills at the center. I can take control of a smaller group of kids now and for the most part they will listen. I become aware of where I am at. I try to be more mature because after all the kids will look up to me wether they say it or not. This means I have to go out of the way to watch my language and dress appropriate. I have challenged my paitience at the center because young boys make jokes and say mean things to you. At times it is hard to not yell at them but after continually working with the kids you learn to be more willing to work with them.

During the past week at the center, Collin and I played another game; this time it was spelling around the world. I offered to give a dolloar to the winner just to incrase the level of competition, or get more people to play. Another thing we did at the center was have a nature walk. It was funny because Joe hates spiders and one of the kids picked it up and put it in the bag and later ended up throwing it at him. The week went well. I think Ms. Connie whats us to bring more struchure to the center and do more, game wise with them, but it is really hard when they have interest on doing different things. Overall the center, for me at least, has become a system.

Journal 3

The needs of this population are a little different of my own. The kids a role moddel and someone to look up to. They are counting on others. Me, I am trying my best to be one the kids can look up to and someone they can learn from. I would have to say honestly just by seeing the kids happy and excited to see us slightly improves my willingness to help others. Well at the center Collin and I work together to run a game and we do fairly well. We communicate about the game.

The past week at the commnity center was good overall. Collin and I actually did our spelling game, which I thought went well. We played another game of kick ball and nobody got hurt. Another funfilled week with baskettball games on the court and tag on the playground.

Journal 2

If I had to pick a song to go with what we had been doing at the center, I would pick "God Bless The U.S.A." I would pick this because at the center on tuesday we did activities to celebrate America: face painting, paper hats, and cupcakes. The only line of the song that really realates to the center is God Bless The U.S.A is because we were celebrateing the fourth of July.

The two days at king kenendy center was fun. The picture above shows just how much. The kids didn't really want us to paint on his or her faces as much but as soon as the oppertunity came to paint on me they jumped all over it. The kids seem to enjoy when we come out they get all excited and want to play with us.

As for Collin, he didn't hurt anyone this week or at least from what I saw. I still think that kid may have brain damage from the other week though. Collin should still feel bad. I think he is banned from kick ball. (I told Collin I wasn't going to let him live this down; it isn't all that serious.)