MVC Upward Bound Math and Science Students Honored at School Board Meeting

By: Micki Clowney

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Monica Nunez

Photo Description:

From left, bottom row: Rigoberto Gutierrez (MVC UBMS Mentor), Kristy Robles, Philan Burleson, Valery Medina, Diana Ramirez, Carissa Briggs, Paris Offor, Serenti Hodge, Matthew Garcia (MVC UBMS Mentor). Middle Row (next to sign): Mario Hernandez, Quyen Vu, Alan Quintero, Priscilla Castanon. Top Row: Kehily Maldonado, Donte Wilson, Justin Walker, Moises Lopez, Kevin Rangel, Joe Orduno, Adrian Acevedo, Jesse Acevedo, Aaron Magdaleno, Christine Castanon, Mary Harb, Gabriel DeLeon.
On Sept. 24, parents, family members and community members were in attendance at the general Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) school board meeting to honor Vista del Lago High School students from the Moreno Valley College (MVC) Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program. Twenty-three UBMS scholars were presented with Certificates of Congressional Recognition on behalf of Congressman Mark Takano (D-Riverside) for their participation over the summer in the Nanotechnology Chip Camp at the University of California, Santa Barbara in August. During the Chip Camp, UBMS scholars learned the basics of top-down nanofabrication processes and designed their own experiment and tested it. Much of the students’ time was spent conducting experiments in one of the UCSB Nanofabrication Facility’s state-of-the-art clean rooms. The UBMS students were among 40 California students accepted to participate in this summer experience. MVC’s UBMS students accounted for over half of the class. The students who were honored at the meeting are as follows: Adrian Acevedo, 9th grade; Jesse Acevedo, 11th grade; Carissa Briggs, 12th grade; Philan Burleson, 10th grade; Christine Castanon, 10th grade; Priscilla Castanon, 12th grade; Gabriel DeLeon, 12th grade; Mary Harb, 10th grade; Mario Hernandez, 10th grade; Serenity Hodge, 11th grade; Moises Lopez, 11th grade; Aaron Magdaleno, 9th grade; Kehily Maldonado, 11th grade; Valery Medina, 10th grade; Paris Offor, 10th grade; Joe Orduno, 11th grade; Alan Quintero, 10th grade; Diana Ramirez, 10th grade; Kevin Rangel, 9th grade; Kristy Robles, 11th grade; Quyen Vu, 10th grade; Justin Walker, 9th grade; Donte Wilson, 10th grade. The UBMS program is designed to strengthen students’ math and science skills and help them pursue careers in related fields. MVC’s program—the only math and science Upward Bound combination program in Riverside County—is funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant in cooperation with Moreno Valley Unified School District. Last summer was the first year for program, which accommodated 60 Vista del Lago High School students. It is headed by Director Micki Poole Clowney.