Sheppard, a rising sixth grader at William J. Clark Middle School, is currently in his third summer participating in the program. Sheppard looks forward to assembling with his peers and teachers for their daily "Harambee" activities in which he enjoys the guest readers in the Read Aloud sessions. The program implements "Harambee" which is Swahili for "let's pull together."

The Freedom Schools program follows the Integrated Reading Curriculum which promotes multicultural learning, reading, and creative activities that reinforces non-violent conflict resolution and cooperation. At Claflin, the students also learn academic and life skills through interactive activities such as coding, chess, science with cooking, speaking Portuguese, Zumba exercises and individual reading assignments. Claflin's program has maintained and increased its reading level by an estimated 95 percent. 

"Since the program's inception, students are able to put "arms and legs" on reading assignments and analyze text, as well as develop their critical thinking, reading comprehension and public speaking skills," stated Nathan Chaplin, Freedom Schools project director.

Butler, a rising ninth grader at Orangeburg Wilkinson High School is in her first summer experience with Freedom Schools. She has been given the opportunity to assist with the Level Two students. Students are divided into two groups: Level Two (third through fifth graders) and Level Three (sixth through eighth graders).

"I am excited every time we go into the classroom. When I began the program I was nervous and I didn't know what to expect. But now I have gained a new love for reading and learning," shared Butler.  

Both Butler and Sheppard agree that their summer experience would not have been as memorable and fulfilling without assistance from their intern teachers.  Nationally, Freedom Schools   programs are staffed primarily by college students and recent college graduates who are committed to making the lives and learning processes better for children. Claflin's intern teachers are five certified teachers and three undergraduate students who aspire to become teachers.

Gregory Scott, '12, affectionately known as "Mr. G" by the students, serves as the program coordinator. He is in his sixth year working with Claflin's Freedom Schools and his 11th year with the program. Scott is a graduate of Claflin's elementary education program. He was once a Freedom Schools student through the Marlboro County program who later served on the national level.

"I'm highly invested in the program. The experiences that students take with them from the program are life lessons. Students are able to read about characters that look like them and have experienced similar situations," shared Scott, who currently teaches fifth grade at Forest Lake Elementary School in Columbia, S.C.

"Seeing the student's progress and excitement for reading has been fulfilling and keeps me coming back to assist with the program," said Arthea Simmons, '13. Simmons is in her fifth year with the program. She received a bachelor's degree in education from Claflin and a master's degree in school counseling from SC State University. She currently serves as a school counselor at James H. Spann Elementary in Summerville, S.C. Simmons credits her Freedom Schools experience with preparing her to become a diverse educator.

Scott and Simmons agree that the relationships they've established with the students impact them in their roles in the public school sector. "Freedom Schools allows me to dig deeper into a content area and allows students the opportunity to express themselves," concluded Scott who is completing a second master's degree in elementary administration and supervision at Charleston Southern University.

Through reading activities and other programs, students are encouraged to believe that they can make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, and the world.

The students look forward to implementing what they have learned in the upcoming school year. "I will enter the sixth grade focused, encouraged and determined to work hard," shared Sheppard who has aspirations of becoming a CEO or a medical professional.

Claflin is just one of more than 189 program sites in 96 cities and 29 states helping children to generate more positive attitudes toward learning. Freedom Schools will host a National Day of Social Action on July 19 and advocate for lawmakers to end childhood poverty.

Claflin's Freedom Schools session will conclude with a celebration honoring the student participants and community members on July 27 at 6 p.m. 

For more than five decades, the Claflin University Upward Bound Program has provided fundamental support to prepare Orangeburg and Calhoun county high school students to pursue their dreams of earning a college degree. Upward Bound offers academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, music, arts and foreign languages. The program also has counseling and tutorial services and cultural enrichment activities. 

 

Claflin's six-week residential Summer Component began June 11 and continues through July 22. The Summer Component also includes the Bridge Program, a summer transition program designed to provide recent Upward Bound graduates (i.e. recently graduated high school seniors) with an opportunity to take introductory college classes at Claflin University. The Academic Component is held from August until May and comprises Saturday classes, seminars and tutorial sessions.

 

Upward Bound is a TRIO Program which is one of eight (originally three) federally funded initiatives created by the reauthorization of The Higher Education Act in 1968. TRIO represents the nation's commitment to the dream of education for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstances. Participants qualify for Upward Bound by meeting several criteria which include demonstrating an interest and the potential to earn a higher education degree, be a student from a family in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree  and compliance with federal household income guidelines.

 

Claflin's first Upward Bound Director was Alethia S. Worthy who served from 1965-1973. 

 

"The philosophy of Upward Bound is based on a holistic approach," said Gwendolyn Phillips, who presently serves as TRIO and Upward Bound Director at Claflin. "Through workshops, seminars, academic classes and one-on-one counseling, we set out to foster the student's positive academic development, the creation and pursuit of personal goals, and good social skills. We aid them in developing a clear, positive vision for their future."

 

Phillips is in her 40th year of working with Upward Bound.  She started in 1977 as a reading instructor. She was appointed director in 1986. In 1990, Phillips was named TRIO Director.

 

"We encourage personal growth and self-reflection, as well as increasing their awareness of our global society," said Phillips. "We are a family here at Upward Bound. We embrace the old African proverb, 'It takes a village to raise a child,' and our administrators and staff are here to help guide students and support their parents."

 

Claflin's Upward Bound program serves students from eight high schools in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties: Bethune-Bowman, Branchville, Calhoun County, Edisto, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Lake Marion, North and Orangeburg-Wilkinson. 

"The competition for Upward Bound funding was very competitive this year," Phillips said. "We were very fortunate to receive funding for more than $3 million for the next five years. Claflin Upward Bound has served more than 8,000 students since the program started and 90 percent of these students have earned college degrees." Claflin has enrolled more than 150 students this year.

 

All services of Upward Bound are free. Students are eligible for two fee waivers of standardized test (i.e. ACT and SAT).  Additional fee waivers are available for college admissions.

Upward Bound provides lunch and transportation (only for Lake Marion High School students) to and from the Claflin University during the Academic Component. Room and board are provided to all participants for the Summer Component. The program covers all entrance fees and admission to special activities.

Upward Bound will host Parents' Day on Sunday at 6 p.m. and a visual and performing arts presentations on July 17 at 8 p.m. Both events will be held at Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Building.

For more information about Upward Bound at Claflin University, contact Gwendolyn Phillips at (803) 535-5058 or email  [email protected] .