Two students from Columbia Basin Secondary School, Kandice Olsen and Calub Parker attended Cougar Quest 2009 and had a great experience learning things in a college setting.

Calub attended Reach Out and Multi-Touch…The Computer Screen, Swards and Swordplay: The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe as well as Research Animals.  Calub said, of his Cougar Quest experience “It was AWESOME!” His favorite class was Research Animals, because he learned the proper way to take care of animals.  Immediately after Cougar Quest, Calub got the opportunity to apply what he had learned, by helping tending to his grandparents horses.

(...And we are not talking about the wires in his jaw!)

8th grade student Jessy Buchmann, was among the 19 students at the WSU Campus in Richland, WA, this Thursday night (May 21st).  Jessy prepared a presentation on a career in Aerospace Engineering, of which he has had a interest since he was old enough to know rockets go, “Boom!” Jessy took the stage fitted with a microphone and supported by hours upon hours of practice. More over, due to Jessy recently breaking his jaw, he really stood out. Everyone was impressed with his persistence and follow through.

Jessy challenged himself to speak as clearly as his competitors and present in a clear and proud voice. He even took a moment to assure that the entire audience could hear him clearly. Then as the speech got going, he REALLY opened up! He knew his stuff! He touched on all the points he had practiced, and remember the details that were most important to him. He even through in a few humorous remarks, to which the audience responded very well to! Jessy added a flair and excitement to the presentation that was impossible to not see, hear, and feel! You truly had to see ALL the students in action to have any idea why Jessy was not among the top 3 awardees.

Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) 8th Graders round the final Curve for the 8th Grade Career Presentation event!

It all began in the fall with an in-class introduction to GEAR UP, college jargon and career exploration. Followed up in October with a visit to a local college, then the start of a full fledge career exploration project in January.

As school began in September, GEAR UP made a point to be in the classroom introducing the 2008-2009 GEAR UP program at CBSS to the new and veteran 8th grade students. Services GEAR UP offers were explained, along with the 8th grade projects planned for the year and the current staff introduced.  The first event to look forward to was the trip to near by Big Bend Community College (BBCC). 

Aristoteles Santiago, some teachers say, is a legend at Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS). GEAR UP staff affectionately calls him “Ari” (pronounced “Ahdy”). Ari has been with the GEAR UP program since the 8th grade, starting his educational career, “always here” and always “on task” Ari has not only run a successful strong education, but has also been a record-breaking track team star for CBSS. The trophy case displays several of Ari’s trophies and ribbons.

In March of 2008, Ari enlisted in the Army National Guard where, within a year’s time he has been promoted twice to Private First Class. As long as Ari has been a part of the GEAR UP program he continues to amaze many of us as he juggles his guard duties every month, keeps up on his academics, and competes in cross country and track. Ari continues to receive tutoring from the GEAR UP program, he schedules time to meet with a tutor either in the morning before school, or after school. Ari will be receiving his diploma on June 4, 2009.

When Ari was asked what GEAR UP meant to him he said, “It’s always been there for me when I have needed it, and it has helped me tremendously to succeed in my education.” The GEAR UP staff here at CBSS is confident that Aristoteles will have an excellent Army National Guard career and that the military is very fortunate to have such an outstanding young man.