SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Imagine a place where students come together and actually engage in learning activities during a summer break.

That is what 64 students in the University of Montevallo Upward Bound program are doing this summer.

Together, they are &8220;Soaring Toward a Dream&8221; of overcoming obstacles and achieving a college degree.

Many of these students come from low-income families, but all are first generation college prospects.

As a result, Upward Bound provides academic development, personal counseling and character training classes, as well as professional training to assist students in improving their educational opportunities, outlook on life as a leader and valued member of the community.

The program also offers seminars on study skills, time prioritization, attitude and scholarship searches.

From May 29 to July 7, high school students from Bibb, Chilton and Shelby counties have the opportunity to live on campus at the University of Montevallo, attend academic classes from 8 a.m. to noon, participate in afternoon electives such as art, drama, music, physical fitness, tennis, weight training, mass communications, computer training, scrapbooking and journalism, as well as participate in a work study program on or near campus.

Through Upward Bound, students are exposed to cultural enrichment presentations, such attendance at plays, concerts, and art exhibits.

Furthermore, Upward Bound students can choose from other academically enhancing activities. Community Service projects, Post-secondary visits, and career mentoring activities are also important ways in which Upward Bound seeks to educate participants.

Integral parts of the program also include academic tutoring, but the value of Upward Bound does not stop there.

This year, field trips, such as attending a play at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, watching the Blue Angels perform in Pensacola, Fla., participating in community service projects to Birmingham homeless shelters and the Shelby County Humane Society, taking college visits and career trips, as well as benefiting from ACT Prep seminars and graduation exam remediation at no cost to the students are ways in which Upward Bound students are soaring toward their dreams