WSU GEAR UP at Ki-Be is creating a college going culture.  Students can no longer walk through their halls oblivious to their future.  Bulletin boards, college pennants, brochures, and posters are working in unison as a conversation starter. 

Students gather around the bulletin boards to discuss what they see.  Conversations shift from what are you doing this weekend to “what college are you going to go to” and “did you see this, this is what a college dorm looks like”.   Teachers and staff gather to discuss their alma-mater or which college has the best sports team.  Students watch their teachers fight for their college with an enthusiasm that entertains and amazes them.  Students want to have that same sense of pride and see college as that opportunity. 

GEAR UP at Ki-Be believes that creating a college going culture sparks pride in staff and student, opening the door to daily discussions regarding higher education. 

WSU GEAR UP staff and students gathered at WSU Tri-Cities on Friday the 18^th of September to recognize and celebrate 10 years of GEAR UP.  The celebration was an opportunity to hear about successes reached and future goals.  Ki-Be proudly presented three speakers. 

Rebecca Wilson, GEAR UP Site Director at Ki-Be, spoke with emotion that displayed her constant dedication to student success.  While Ki-Be has had many successes she choose to speak on behalf of all GEAR UP Site Directors’ successes.  Site Directors aspire to reach goals met at other sites while demonstrating their own achievements.  There is a partnership, friendship, and admiration apparent among sites.

The halls were filled with laughter, excitement, and a bit of nervous energy this week as Kiona Benton Schools and WSU GEAR UP welcomed back students following summer break. 

WSU GEAR-UP is excited to continue our partnership with Ki-Be offering a multitude of services to students and families.  We also boast the newest club on campus, GEAR UP Student Action Council; it is to be student lead and focused on creating a college going culture on campus.  Student Action Council members will also take an important role in contributing ideas and energy into GEAR UP activities, college campus visits, and programs. 

Week One of WSU GEAR UP Summer’s Cool at Ki-Be was a smashing success.  Students were able to choose from a handful of exciting classes during this year’s Summer’s Cool Program.  Last week students gathered to learn about Zoology and Digital Animation.

The Digital Animation course challenged students to expand on their knowledge of technology, creating a short animation using Pivot.  Their creations, as always, astonished us as did their ease when it came to learning the new program.   The class focused on the importance of technology and how it can be interesting, creative, and fun.  The week ended with a “movie party” showing the student created movies. 

Zoology focused on increasing student awareness of animals in their natural habitat.  Students broke into small groups, researched, designed, and built habitats for the classroom amphibians.  The students will help maintain the habitats during the next school year.   After building their miniature habitats the class headed to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo.  Students were able to study large scale habitats and the animals in them.  The class partook in an overnight adventure at the zoo. This allowed students a behind the scenes look at the zoo.   Students left enthralled with the various career possibilities that a zoo has to offer.  The class also visited the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.  Students learned of the past, present, and future importance of science.