Fall Semester 2025

This fall, our UB Scholars hit the ground running! Both our Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS) programs are serving 127 Norte Vista High School students—including 65 UB and 62 UBMS Scholars, with 25 new UB and 16 new UBMS students welcomed this year.

Throughout the semester, our scholars stayed busy preparing for college through academic advising meetings, tutoring, Saturday Academies at Norco College, and exciting field trips. Their dedication and achievements truly reflect the strength and spirit of our UB community.

We invite you to explore the rest of our Fall Semester Recap Newsletter to celebrate the highlights and accomplishments from the past few months.

The Upward Bound Team wishes you a joyful and relaxing winter break. Enjoy this special time with friends and family—we can’t wait for an exciting spring semester ahead!

Claudia Garcia & Merisa Cote
Student Success Coordinators

Norco College Upward Bound & Upward Bound Math-Science Programs

at Norte Vista High School

UB Scholars represented the UB and UBMS programs at Club Rush, sharing the amazing opportunities our programs offer with the entire Norte Vista student body. Their enthusiasm and dedication generated significant interest, resulting in several new student applications. These future scholars are ready to embark on their journey to college preparation, and we’re excited to support them every step of the way!

Our UB Club Cabinet kicked off the academic year with a successful leadership retreat, where student leaders collaborated to plan for the year ahead. During the retreat, cabinet members worked hard to set fundraising goals and coordinate exciting social events aimed at increasing student engagement and strengthening our UB community.

2025–2026 UB Club Cabinet:

• President: Leslie Hernandez

• Senior Vice President: Lindsey Santana Espinoza

• Junior Vice President: Anu Adeshoga

• Treasurer: Aurora Morfin

• Secretary: Jose Nunez

• Marketing & Communications Officer: Danica Tiongson

• 9th/10th Grade Representatives: Neyda Rodriguez-Uzcanga & RJ Siordia

Our first UB Club meeting of the school year was a great success! To welcome students back to school, we enjoyed nachos while connecting with fellow UB Scholars. Students learned about upcoming events and fundraisers and heard directly from the UB Club Cabinet about plans for the year ahead. The meeting set a positive tone for the semester and encouraged students to get involved, share ideas, and take an active role in shaping our UB community.

We welcomed our UB Scholars and their parents to UB Orientation, where we shared an overview of the Upward Bound program and highlighted the exciting events, opportunities, and activities planned for the 2025–2026 academic year. Families learned what to expect throughout the year and how UB will continue supporting students on their path to college success.

Ms. Merisa Cote (she/her) is a proud alumna of Riverside City College and California State University, San Bernardino. She recently earned her Master of Arts in Education, College Counseling, from the University of Redlands. For the past two years, she has served as a Professional Expert in Riverside City College's Career and Transfer Centers. She also served as a Success Coach for high school students with Riverside County's Cal-SOAP program.

During her free time, Ms. Merisa enjoys spending time with her pets, reading, playing videogames and attending live music events.

As a first-generation college graduate, Ms. Merisa is thrilled to join the Upward Bound team as a Student Success Coordinator and eager to contribute to its mission of empowering students to achieve their goals.

Our seniors participate in Senior Seminars designed to guide them through the college admissions and application process. On October 17, the seminar focused on UC Personal Insight Questions, where students learned valuable tips and strategies for writing strong, thoughtful responses that highlight their experiences and strengths.

And of course, we had to wear Stanford gear to playfully give Mr. Nick, a UC Berkeley alum, a hard time!

We welcomed our newest Upward Bound students with a fun and engaging Welcome Day social designed to build community from the start. New and continuing participants connected through a “speed-dating” style icebreaker, giving returning students the opportunity to welcome newcomers, share their experiences, and begin forming meaningful friendships. The afternoon was filled with pizza, pumpkin painting, and plenty of conversation, creating a relaxed and supportive environment that set the tone for a successful year in the program.

The Homecoming Carnival was a huge success and so much fun! Our UB Scholars proudly showcased their entrepreneurial spirit by selling delicious mangoneadas and paletas—and thanks to the incredible support from the school community, we sold out!

Through teamwork, leadership, and school spirit, students raised $193 to support the Upward Bound Club, helping fund future UB scholarships and educational field trips.

Great job, UB Scholars, and thank you to everyone who supported our fundraiser! 🌟👏

For Homecoming Halftime Senior Recognition, Upward Bound proudly selected Leslie Hernandez, a dedicated UB Scholar who has been an active member of the program for four years. This year, Leslie serves as the President of the Upward Bound Club, where she has done an outstanding job leading with commitment, initiative, and heart.

Leslie consistently goes above and beyond for both the program and the club, serving as a true role model for all UB Scholars. Her parents joined her on the field for this special moment, making the recognition even more meaningful. We are incredibly proud of Leslie and all that she has accomplished.

Leslie plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with the goal of becoming a corporate lawyer.

Our students attended CSU Fullerton Preview Day, where they had the opportunity to explore the campus, participate in informative workshops, and visit the resource fair. At the fair, students learned about a wide range of academic programs, student organizations and clubs, and student support services available at CSUF. Some of our UB Scholars even had the exciting opportunity to meet the President of CSU Fullerton!

This visit was a meaningful and engaging experience that provided students with valuable exposure to college life, campus resources, and academic opportunities.

On November 15th, our program brought 45 students to UC Riverside for an inspiring Student Leadership Conference. Students engaged with dynamic speakers who shared their personal leadership journeys, participated in interactive workshops focused on leadership development, and connected with representatives from local community organizations dedicated to advocacy and service. A highlight of the day included the opportunity for some students to meet the Mayor of Moreno Valley and hear firsthand about his path to leadership and commitment to community impact, leaving students motivated and empowered to envision their own roles as future leaders.

On November 18, seniors and their parents attended our FAFSA Workshop, where students successfully submitted their FAFSA applications. Congratulations to our seniors on reaching this important milestone in the college-going process!

As we head into the spring semester, students will begin making big decisions as they review financial aid offers and decide which college they will attend. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!

On November 20, Upward Bound students gathered for a festive Friendsgiving celebration, creating a meaningful space to connect, reflect, and celebrate the season together. The event encouraged students to share gratitude, build community, and enjoy time with one another outside of the classroom. Through shared activities, food, and friendly competition, students strengthened relationships and embraced the supportive environment that makes Upward Bound so special.

Friendsgiving was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community, belonging, and gratitude as we head into the holiday season.

On November 25, 44 Upward Bound students with an interest in STEM careers took an inspiring field trip to UCLA and The Broad Museum. The day offered students the chance to explore college life, discover potential career paths in STEM and engineering, and engage with professionals and current students who shared valuable insights about academic and career success.

The visit also included an unforgettable experience at The Broad Museum, where students connected with contemporary art in innovative and interactive ways. Overall, the trip provided a unique blend of education, inspiration, and community-building, leaving students motivated and excited about their futures.

Our seniors worked hard to meet the December 1st college application deadline for CSUs and UCs, and we are so proud of their dedication! Several UB Seniors have already started receiving admissions from universities including CSU Fullerton, Sacramento State, Chico State, CSU Northridge, San Francisco State, and Humboldt State.

Now the wait begins to see where the rest of our seniors get accepted. We are cheering them on and look forward to celebrating even more college acceptances soon! 🌟

To help students plan ahead, we have included a flyer with the Spring Senior Seminar dates. These seminars are mandatory for all UB Seniors, ensuring they stay on track and fully prepared for the next steps in their college journey.

So far this year, our students have attended three Saturday Academies at Norco College, each designed to support their academic growth and college readiness. During the December session, students participated in four workshops covering:

• Study Skills

• Time Management

• Branding Yourself for Universities

• Study Session for Finals

These workshops provided practical tools to help students succeed in school and prepare for college. Be sure to check out the included flyer for upcoming Spring Saturday Academy dates—we look forward to seeing our UB Scholars continue to grow and excel!

Our last social of the fall semester brought UB Scholars together for a fun and festive Winter Social! Students enjoyed pizza, participated in a Senior Panel where upperclassmen shared tips and tricks on how to ace finals, and took part in a White Elephant gift exchange. The event was a great way to celebrate the semester and get into the holiday spirit.

If you’re a 9th or 10th grader at Norte Vista HS with the goal of attending college after high school, Upward Bound is the perfect program to help you prepare! Our UB and UBMS programs provide academic support, college guidance, tutoring, field trips, and engaging workshops to set you up for success. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a supportive community of students working toward their college dreams—apply today by clicking on the link below!

Follow our communication outlets to stay up to date with upcoming events and news regarding the program and academics to help you on your journey towards higher education.