A Parent's Perspective on Interivews

In the last post, I shared some information about the student interviews that I was lucky enough to sit-in on. After I had watched a couple of hours of student interviews, I stationed myself in the hallway to speak to the parents of the students. They offered a really unique perspective on the interview process and the Bridges to a Brighter Future Program as a whole.

The parents that sat out in the hall looked almost as nervous as the students themselves. I asked them all the same several questions about their students and why they wanted them to be involved in the Bridges program. The most common answer to my questions revolved around the need for structure and planning in their student’s life. The parents frequently saw Bridges as a place to help provide their student with a consistent presence of education in both the present and the future. They also wanted their students in a college oriented environment and around those who had college experiences to share, as many of the Bridges students are the first in their family to go to college.

A potential Bridges student and her mom
 waiting for the interview to begin

I also asked the parents about what they thought were some of the biggest challenges for their students. Several of the parents told me they wanted their students to work on were their social skills. Bridges provides an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with other students and adults. Also since students are without their cell phones when at the summer program, they are forced to interact face-to-face rather than through the technology crutch.

The parents impressed me with their unwavering support of their students. Even more so I was inspired by how kind they were to me and their want to know more about my college experience to share with their own children. I really enjoyed getting to know the potential students’ families and gaining their unique perspective on the program. 

Check out this video where students share their thoughts on the Bridges Interviews!

Inside the Bridges Interview Room

Bridges to a Brighter Future has officially finished interviewing their applicants. A few weeks ago I got the chance to sit in on some of the interview sessions that were held at Furman University, and even participate by asking the students some questions.

The first thing I noticed when entering the interview room is how open and warm it seemed.  The second thing I noticed was how sweet and happy all of the interviewers were. It immediately put me at ease, as I’m sure it did for all of the potential Bridge’s students.

The Bridges interview room before the hours of interviews began

As each ninth grader came, they looked so nervous. The room full of adults introduced themselves, each of them was so kind to each of the kids and took such an interest in each of the students’ lives. When I arrived at the interview Tobi Swartz and Casey Crisp who lead the program were present. There were also teachers who volunteer for Bridges, Furman staff, Bridges Alumni, and Bridges Counselors.

The students were nervous as they waited in the hallway to be called in to their interview. They were shown a video about the Bridges program and given some more information about it while they waited. The questions ranged from ordinary to in depth. Each student got a chance to tell the room about themselves, their likes and dislikes. They also asked the students about strengths, weaknesses, their family, and their friends. All of the questions seemed to reach at getting the students to open up more about themselves.

I witnessed so many students who lit up about their strengths, such as drama club, band, or a sport. I saw a lot of them talk about their families with pride and happiness.  Many talked about the struggles in their lives and all of the wonderful things they had heard that Bridges could offer to them.

As each student filtered out of the room a discussion, in which everyone talked about how they would fit in to the program, ensued. Every student that came in had some sort of need for the program and also had his or her own unique personality to offer to it. More often then not, the discussion really tried to focus on how the student would fit in with in a class and the program as a whole. The need that the student had for the program was also extremely important to the team.

The Bridges interview room and volunteers

Overall, the experience was wonderful and I was so impressed by each one of the students that I met. I have no idea how the Bridges team ever narrows it down to twenty-five with so many promising young students. 

Check out this Audio Slideshow...

Behind the scenes at Saturday College

For these students, Saturday mornings quickly go from academics to a family environment. Photo Courtesy of Tobi Swartz.

Bridges to a Brighter Future is a program known for obtaining amazing results. However, these outcomes are the result of perseverance and hard work, not only from the students but also from counselors, volunteers and administrators.

In my first post, I talked a little about what a typical day at Saturday College entails. However, I did not mention the incredible amount of work that happens behind the scenes. Tobi Swartz and Casey Crisp, Bridges Program Director and Assistant Program Director describe planning Saturday College a “logistical challenge” that is worth every effort put in.  The first Saturday of every month, they are prepared to receive students and volunteers who will take part in a hectic morning of academics, but most importantly, support. 
Ensuring that every student has transportation and contacting local restaurants to provide lunch are only two examples of items Swartz and Crisp must check off their "To Do List" before the students arrive on Saturday morning.
To get a general idea of some behind the scenes work at Saturday College, be sure to check out this Flickr Slideshow and YouTube video.

Swartz states that "Bridges students are known for their enthusiasm and dedication". This is easy to see as soon as you meet them because they learn from the example of hard work set by other people involved, like program administrators and counselors. The students of Bridges to a Brighter Future are the ones we hear about the most, but the program would not be as successful as it is without its foundation of collaborative effort.

Saturday College is only one component of Bridges to a Brighter Future, so be sure to read our other posts, to better understand the job of other people involved with different parts of the program. Who knows? Maybe you’ll feel identified with the cause and become the next volunteer!

Don’t forget to leave any comments or questions below!

The true meaning behind Saturday College

For high school sophomore Kelsey Roloson, Saturday College is a chance to remember the positive changes Bridges to a Brighter Future made in her life. 

Photo Courtesy of Anabella Soto.

Bridges to a Brighter Future is an academic program like no other. While it strives to help students reach their highest academic potential, its atmosphere is not one of the competitiveness and stress typically associated with high school and college applications.
Saturday College is a great example of how academic excellence and a motivational environment can go hand in hand.


For Bridges participants, these sessions represent more than just an opportunity to receive free tutoring and college advising. What makes these Saturdays memorable is the ability to spend time with friends and strengthen the relationships created during the four week summer session. Even seemingly insignificant things like having lunch together take on a whole new meaning when they are put in the context of love and encouragement that defines Saturday College.


Students were asked to describe their Saturday College experience in three words. Among the most popular ones were "family", "hope" and "future". Program Director Tobi Swartz describes these Saturday sessions as synonymous to a “safe haven” for the students, whose circumstances are often ridden with financial and emotional hardship. 


   

Saturday College is just one component of Bridges to a Brighter Future, so be sure to check out what other elements make this program so successful.

If you have any comments, please leave them below!

Community Service at Saturday College

Bridges to a Brighter Future students exhibit a passion for community service that explains why "their potential outdistances their circumstances".
Photo Courtesy of Anabella Soto, Tobi Swartz and Miracle Hill Ministries

The Afternoon Activity portion of Saturday College is always highly awaited by its participants. According to Casey Crisp, Assistant Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future, " One of the best parts of planning Saturday College is picking what this activity will be. These can be anything from a Furman football game, a trip to the movies or community service. For many of our students, that trip to the movies is the first they’ve taken in their lives.”

During my visit to Saturday College, it was pleasantly surprising to see that even though the students love football games and movies like any other teenagers, they still consider community service their favorite afternoon activity.
This same day, when the lunch portion of Saturday College concluded, the students left Furman Hall and cheerfully headed to the parking area in spite of the cold, icy drizzle. Among chants of “Yay! Community Service!”  they piled into vans driven by counselors and headed to Miracle Hill Thrift Shop near Traveler’s Rest, to spend an afternoon sorting through donations, cleaning and helping out in any way needed.

Sophomore Kelsey Roloson from Greer High School understands the importance of giving back. “We’re helping out a community that in turn helps us. Our lives may not be awesome all the time, but there are always people who are worse off, and we need to be aware of that.”
According to the students, “time went by too fast” and some even took advantage of the occasion to make a few purchases for upcoming school events.

In the words of Senior Desireé LaFreniere, “ Rearranging clothes might not seem like a great help to the community. But we know that Miracle Hill helps families that have problems just like our own, so if we can help even one person have a better day, then that makes it worth the effort.”

These students are truly inspiring in the way they put others before themselves, even if their lives have been affected by economic and emotional troubles. With positive attitudes like theirs, there is no doubt that they are on the right track to reaching the potential they were not aware they had.

Don't forget to keep checking our blogs! If you have any comments or ideas for future community service projects, leave a comment below!

Saturday College: An Introduction

For many, Saturdays are just a chance to sleep late, but for students who participate in Bridges to a Brighter Future, Saturday College represents one more step in the road towards attaining a college education. 

Photo Courtesy of Tobi Swartz

For many teenagers in high school, Saturday mornings represent a chance to sleep late and relax after a busy week. However, at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina the first Saturday of every month marks another Saturday College session for the Bridges to a Brighter Future program.

Bridges to a Brighter Future started out as a four week program in the summer, but its administrators soon saw the need to add another element to keep students motivated during the school year. This is how Saturday College was born. Today, Bridges counselors and partners from the Greenville community come together on these Saturdays to provide academic assistance to over 100 Bridges participants.

“Each time they come to Saturday College, participants receive a $20 stipend to help them cover costs such as transportation or missed work”, explains Program Director Tobi Swartz.

The session lasts from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by an optional afternoon activity.

Although Swartz claims "there is no typical day at Saturday College ", the schedule below is how the program is broken down.

8:00 - 9:00 AM: Students arrive and sign in at front desk by McEachern Lecture room in Furman Hall.

9:00 - 9:30 AM : Students have a joint session in which they exchange any important news or important achievements.

9:30 AM- 12:00 PM: Students receive tutoring in areas like Social Studies, Science and English. They also participate in workshops focusing on topics like filling in Financial Aid forms.

12:00- 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00PM: Afternoon Activity (this can range from going to a Furman Football game to Community Service)

Sarah Burke Sigmon, a Furman Junior and Saturday College science tutor, thinks  “waking up at 7:30am is difficult, but doing something as simple as helping with their homework makes me realize that they are extremely grateful for the time I’ve dedicated to them.”

This sense of gratefulness is evident from the moment you set foot in any of the classrooms. While homework isn’t a high school student’s idea of fun, they tackle their assignments with a positive attitude, conscious that academic success will be one of the keys to college acceptance.

Attending Saturday College does not come without its sacrifices. “Sometimes, we forget that the kids are also very involved in extracurricular activities. A lot of our students are part of sports teams, and Friday nights usually mean games or meets, which are physically draining and don’t end until late at night”, commented Swartz.

Nevertheless, they always greet Swartz with smiling faces and contagious enthusiasm, making their Saturday a chance to not only learn, but also to reconnect with friends that they have not seen in a month. The balance between schoolwork and friendships help make Saturday College “perfect”, according to evaluations submitted by participants at the end of the year.

 The road to college is not an easy one for these students, but with the support system of Saturday College, they know that they are not alone on this journey.

For more information about Bridges to a Brighter Future don't hesitate to leave a comment below. Make sure to come back to our blog, we will be updating it constantly!

Crossing the Bridge: Looking forward

How has Crossing the Bridge successful in its first year?

Check out these photos from the Crossing the Bridge Program

There is no data to show the impact Crossing the Bridge has had on students’ graduation rates. This is the first year the program has been in place, so the students who went through the summer program are still in their freshman year of college. Numbers are not available yet, but it is easy to see the importance of the program has had on students’ lives.

College access is a two-part problem for many low-income and first-generation students, a study by the U.S Department of Education says college access is a two part problem:

1.    Students “are at a disadvantage in gaining access to post-secondary education.”

2.    “Even those who overcome the barriers and do enroll have difficulty remaining enrolled and attaining a degree.”

Bridges to a Brighter Future’s goal is to fix the first problem by giving students the help they need to graduate from high school and enroll in college. They have achieved this goal and are one of the premier college access programs in the area, receiving a number of honors awards.

They have recently expanded their mission with the Crossing the Bridge program. Through the intensive summer program, and the constant contact and support, Crossing the Bridge hopes to enable Bridges to a Brighter Future students to achieve their goals of college graduation.

According to Tobi Swartz, Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future, “It is too early to tell what the ultimate rewards and outcomes are going to be from Crossing the Bridge, but we are definitely seeing that we are able to infuse ourselves at times where they really need support”

Students recognize the impacts of the program and are definitely noticing a difference. Christian Barrientos, a freshman at Furman University and a participant in the Crossing the Bridge program says:

“I came in to college with an upper hand in many of my classes because for the last 4 summers I have participated in the Bridges program. Crossing the Bridge’s summer session helped me better understand and prepare for college life, this made the transition from high school to college much easier for me. I'm so grateful for this opportunity, wouldn't change it for the world”

Assistant Director Casey Crisp, has learned a lot in the last 9 months. She organized the Summer Program and she is in constant contact with students by phone or visits. Through her experience in this inaugural year Crisp has developed new goals for the program.

“I hope that in the coming years we can grow in the areas of financial assistance and alumni relations. We would love to be able to provide more scholarships for students and secure funding for computers and books, etc. We also believe that building alumni connections, will be strengthen our program in the long run.”

This last year has also learned Crisp a lot about what specific programs, and resources are available to students at their schools. Learning more about the schools her current students are at, will help her to direct students to them in the future and form important relationships with the resources and counselors at schools.

For more information about Crossing the Bridge Check out my video!

 

Thanks for reading! 

Lindsey A. 

Crossing the Bridge: Student Visits

Students attend the Summer Program and are off to college! Then what?

Crossing the Bridge does not stop at the Summer Program.  After one week of intensive college preparation, students are off to college. Once students have started school, Assistant Director, Casey Crisp keeps in contact with them constantly through Facebook, email, and phone. Crisp Explains, “This contact definitely helps keep the students accountable, but the main goal is to keep an open line of communication and be here to support them with any troubles they may be facing in their first year of college.”

The most important part of this contact is student visits. Many Bridges students stay close by at colleges such as South Carolina, Winthrop, and Morehouse, so Crisp visits students once a semester, usually around midterm to check in with them and see how their transition is going. She talks to students about all facets of their college experience to get a good understanding of how they are doing socially as well as academically.

On her visits, Casey emphasizes to students the magnitude of on campus resources. No matter what a student is going through the chance is that other students are having the same problems and there are ways to get help on campus. Whether the issues are social, academic, or financial.

“I always want them to know that I am not coming from a place of judgment, I am not a parent figure who is going to come down on them if they make a mistake I want them to always fell they can be honest with me… there is a really fine line between them viewing me as someone who is watching them and monitoring them versus someone who is really there just to support them.” 

- Casey Crisp, Assistant Director Bridges to a Brighter Future

For more info about Crossing the Bridge’s student visits listen to my podcast!

Thanks for reading, check back for more posts soon!

Lindsey A. 

A Closer Look at a Bridges Counselor

We all have people who have made a difference in our lives. The counselors of Bridges to a Brighter Future are true leaders who make big changes in the lives of the students. One particular counselor has made an impact on many lives, and has used Bridges to do so.

Luis Gonzales is a tried and true counselor

Luis is a senior at Furman and has been a counselor of Bridges to a Brighter Future for the last three years. He was no stranger to the program upon beginning his freshman year of college- Luis was a Bridges student himself! He loved his experience as a student and wanted to become a counselor in order to continue his journey.

As a counselor he has been able to see Bridges from a different perspective. Experiencing the program from the perspective of both a student and a counselor has allowed him to appreciate the program more.  Becoming a counselor has given  him the wisdom to "understand what the program means and how it's going to impact (his) life."

Luis aims to get close to students and allow them to have a person to confide in and open up to so that they can get as much out of the program as possible. He fondly recalls the relationships that he had with his counselors while in the program and strives to have an equally positive influence on the students that he works with now.

Even though this is his last year at Furman, Luis plans to work as a counselor at the  Summer Program one last time. Though sad to part with the program this year, he is excited to see what direction the students are going to take their lives. He will leave the program knowing that he has made a difference in the lives of Bridges students!

To see more of Luis's experience with Bridges, check out the video below!

Photo credits: Luis Gonzales, Bridges to a Brighter Future, Tobi Swartz

Bridges Helps Seniors Overcome Financial Barriers

Greer High School senior Stephanie Torres has high grades, loves math, and hopes to major in finance at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She dreams of someday working in the stock market, yet finance is also a major barrier in Stephanie attending college.

Bridges to a Brighter Future senior Stephanie Torres (left) with Norsaahad Dillard. Credit: Bridges to a Brighter Future

Stephanie’s parents both work in the manufacturing industry. Due to her family’s financial situation, before Stephanie became a part of the Bridges to a Brighter Future program, she did not think that she would ever be able to afford college. This is a growing concern for low-income students nationwide.

According to Education Week, in 2010, average tuition and fees reached $7,605 per year at four year public institutions and $27,293 at private colleges. With these figures, sending even one child to college can seem impossible for low-income families. According to a report by Education Trust, every year, typical low-income students' families are required to pay or borrow an amount equivalent to three-fourths of their household income to cover college costs.

While federal aid is available to offset educational costs, many low-income students face challenges in simply applying for funding. To be eligible for federal aid, every student must fill out The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filling out the FAFSA can be a long, tedious process, as it requires gathering tax returns, income records, and bank statements. While the federal government has been making changes to the FAFSA over the last five years, it is still a challenging form, particularly for low-income students whose parents did not attend college. Parents who are not familiar with the process may be resistant to providing financial information.

For this reason, Bridges hosts a FAFSA workshop in February for seniors. Financial officers come to the workshop to walk students and parents through the process step-by-step, telling them what documents they need and explaining terminology. Check out this Flickr slideshow to see more of the ways Bridges helps students make smart financial decisions about college.

“My biggest obstacle in going to college is money,” Stephanie said. “But Bridges helps you fill out your FAFSA application and if you don’t know something, there’s always someone right by your side.”

However, filling out the FAFSA is just the first step. Once students receive their federal financial aid packages, even with additional scholarships, the amount may fall short. Watch this interview with Dr. Allison L. Hurst, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Furman University to learn more about the financial challenges that federal policies create for low-income students.  Dr. Hurst's research focuses on class and higher education and I had a great time talking to her about these important issues!
 

Saturday College Helps Bridges Seniors With Standardized Testing

Students in the Bridges to a Brighter Future program have leadership capabilities, high grades, and extracurricular involvement. However, despite these qualifications, some Bridges seniors face serious obstacles to college admission because of their SAT or ACT scores.

Bridges to a Brighter Future students Nathan Coy and Kayla Wright. Credit: Bridges to a Brighter Future.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2009-2010 school year, students in the top economic quartile scored almost 400 points higher than students in the lowest economic quartile on the SAT. This achievement gap can be attributed to a number of factors.

1. SAT Preparation- The Princeton Review’s “Ultimate Course,” a 30 hour course that guarantees a 150 point minimum increase, starts at $999. While there are less expensive options, low-income students face a major disadvantage in the test preparation industry.
2. Underperforming schools- Low-income students often attend poorly funded schools that do not have adequate resources or highly-qualified teachers. Even without additional test preparation courses such as the Princeton Review, wealthier students who attend schools with rigorous curricula and well-trained teachers have an innate advantage.
3. Testing Expenses- The current fee to take the SAT is $49. While the SAT offers two fee-waivers for low-income students, well-off students are able to take the test as many times as necessary. Also, if the testing site is not nearby, it can be difficult for low-income students to obtain transportation.

Because of the weight given to standardized test scores in college admission decisions, Bridges works hard to make sure students are prepared to take these crucial tests through their Saturday College program. At Saturday College, Bridges holds workshops to educate students in effective testing preparation. Also, the program provides transportation to testing sites, as well as financial support for testing fees.
Bill Dingledine, an independent college counselor in Greenville, SC, has led several of these test preparation workshops for Bridges and he has also served as a private test tutor for Bridges seniors. I recently had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with Mr. Dingledine at his office, Educational Directions, Inc. Mr. Dingledine is president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling and has thirty-five years of experience in education, as a teacher, coach, headmaster, and test preparation tutor.

Check out this podcast to hear Mr. Dingledine’s insight about low income students and standardized testing, as well as the shift to testing optional admission policies.

Dingledine Podcast by ElizabethC731

What's in a Name: Counselors of Bridges to a Brighter Future

We know that the counselors for Bridges to a Brighter Future have a great impact on the students, but what many don't think about  is what it takes to claim the official title of a "counselor."

The counselors must have a desire to help the students learn and grow, while focusing on creating a positive and stable environment within the program.

Top left: a counselor and a student share a moment of friendship on a field trip

Top right: a counselor demonstrates diligence as he helps a student with work.

Bottom center: the rainbow of bowling balls represents the various, colorful personalities of the counselors of Bridges

Maturity, leadership, and compassion are just a few of the many qualities that Bridges counselors strive to obtain.  In a recent interview with counselor Emily Barksdale, she shared her journey with the program from an insider perspective. She proves that the hard work pays off and that the position is a very rewarding one!

In addition to the attributes listed above, dedication to applying and training for the ocunseling position is equally as important.

Because Bridges finds its home at Furman University, applications are open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Furman. Applications become available each February, followed by interviews and training in the following months.

Before applying, one should assess his or her qualifications. Counselors must have:

• a 2.0 GPA
• a clean background check
• a recommendation of his or her good standing from a Furman faculty member

One should also consider his or her ability to commit to the program. During the five-week summer program counselors live on campus with the students. They work to ensure safety and provide support for the students, while also attending staff meetings and workshops of their own.  Counselors are not permitted to participate in outside jobs or classes during this time because they have responsibilities every day of the week and must be available to students at all times.

After noting all of these requirements the Bridges counselor position may seem taxing, but the work shouldn’t be a deterrent! Counselors get as much- if not more- from the program as they put into it. The five-week program provides counselors with a $1500 stipend, free housing during the program, and two meals a day.

On top of all that, working with the students provides leadership and interpersonal skills to the counselors while also creating strong bonds of friendship. Counselors also learn how to apply the skills to a major of study such as Sociology, Education, or Communications, which can aid in job hunting or lead to internship opportunities.

Working for an outstanding, award-winning program like Bridges is a fantastic way to learn, grow, and build strong relationships that will last far beyond one's Furman career. The experience can provide a counselor with the knowledge that he or she has he;ped students achieve a goal that may not have been possible without a college access program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2009, only 55% of low-income high school students enrolled in college compared to 84% of their wealthier peers. Bridges has begun to defy these statistics. Since it began, Bridges to a Brighter Future has sent 245 students to college. More than just a summer spent with high school students, being a counselor at Bridges could allow you to change a life!

Photo credits: Tobi Swartz, Bridges to a Brighter Future