The Upward Bound Program at Southern Arkansas University held its annual Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Former participant, Mr. Curtis Box, Esq., was the keynote speaker.
Thirty-five students from 6 schools received Upward Bound diplomas: Lillian Allen, Blevins High; Aro’Nel Penerman, Bradley High; Jordan Askew, A’Brieana Brown, Jayla Carter, Amiyah Davis, Shaqunda Davis, Micah Lewis, Julissa Olivarez, Jordan Sams, and Jae’Nyla Welch, Camden Fairview High; Destiney Dean, Emerson High; Makia Brewer, Antasia Easter, Autumn Green, Zaria Henderson, Iyonna Jones, Kayla Malone, Kyla Manning, Ny’Angel Messer, Cakierea Parker, Brooklynn Perry, Trinity Roy, Terriona Smith, Emma Sweetwood, A’Miya Tate, and De’Marion Wesson, Magnolia High School; Shondrika Blakely, La’Qualion Dismuke-Christopher, Ja’Niya Harper, Kemyah Jackson, Kennedy Messer, Nakia Prater, and Tyneshia Young, Nevada High School.
Upward Bound Scholarships were awarded to Autumn Green, Magnolia High School; Kemyah Jackson, Nevada High School; and A’Brieana Brown, Camden Fairview High School received the Upward Bound Charles Hughey Scholarship. The Scholarships are each valued at $5,000 and awarded in two disbursements of $2,500/semester for the 1st and 2nd semesters of the recipient’s first year of enrollment at SAU.
Other award recipients were:
- Co-Valedictorians: Julissa Olivarez and Tyneshia Young
- Co-Salutatorians: Jayla Carter and Ja’Niya Harper
- Honor Graduates: Lillian Allen, Aro’Nel Penerman, Amiyah Davis, Shaqunda Davis, Jordan Sams, Jae’Nyla Welch, Antasia Easter, Autumn Green, Zaria Henderson, Kayla Malone, Cakierea’ Parker, Brooklynn Perry, A’Miya Tate, LaQualion Dismuke-Christopher, Kemyah Jackson, Kennedy Messer, and Nakia Prater.
Twenty-four UB graduates participated in our summer Bridge Program. They were each enrolled in up to 6 college credit hours. Twenty-two students from the Class of 2023 are currently enrolled at Southern Arkansas University.
Mr. Curtis Box, Esq.
Curtis Box II grew up in Camden, Arkansas, and joined the Upward Bound program while attending Camden Fairview High School. While at Upward Bound, Curtis discovered his “voice” and learned how to take those first, critical steps in the world as a young adult. The Upward Bound program helped shape Curtis and brought important people, mentors, and role models into his world at critical stages of his life. He graduated from Southern Arkansas University and the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Curtis and Marchette Robinson-Box met as teenagers while in the Upward Bound program. Now married with two small children, he is a senior corporate lawyer at Apple Inc., and Marchette (also a Southern Arkansas University graduate) is an accountant.