UWRF UB Newsletter
Dec. 2019
Letter from UB Program Director
Happy Holidays Students!
This fall has been a time of adjustment and updates for the program. We moved from two offices to one, implemented digital signatures to align with our program’s online database, developed the online UB Newsletter and Writing Circle, and lastly transformed the process to receive stipends through US Bank – debit cards.
Thank you, to all the participants for doing your due diligence to attend our academic year programming.
68% SR. Retreat Attendance
81% Sept. MM Attendance – Welcome Back to Academic Year
81% Oct. MM Attendance – Service Learning/Volunteerism
SR. ACT BootCamp
100% JR. Retreat Attendance
JR. ACT Series/Writing Circle
13 Participants visited Gustavus Adolphus College
84% Nov. MM Attendance – College Exploration/Prep
89% Dec. MM Attendance – Cohort Building/Peer Mentoring
Your energy feeds our energy and together we continue to have engaged, dynamic and impactful experiences. As we continue towards the rest of the academic year, we will provide more college visits, student leadership conferences, and support you to achieve your goals. As a friendly reminder keep up your grades and if you need extra support attend the Washington Homework Center or access the free online tutoring through St. Paul Public Library (see Nov. 2019 UB Newsletter for directions).
Your UB Director,
Bee Vang
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT & WELCOME to the NEW RECRUITS
Welcome the c/o 2023 - New Participants
Dawan Davis
Cynthia Flores
Hoda Hassen
Carniya Houston
HlaMay Htoo
KongMeng Lao
Josey Lee
Jennie Lee
Yeepheng Lor
EhPer Moo
Diana Moua
Pakou Thao
Yee Vang
MyHan Vo
Chuchi Xiong
Peter Yang
Kayleanna Yang
Mary Yang
Shoua Yang
Chai Yang
Student Perspective: I Can't Miss Out
As a young individual, I’ve always been chasing new experiences and life adventures to create stories I could tell when I’m old and participating in the pageant competition for the Hmong MN New Year 2020 was something I knew that I can’t miss out on. My decision was a shock to many and an excitement to some. Being part of a pageant competition, it became almost like a lifestyle that I have to live through everyday. There will be times that you are going to feel drained, mentally, physically, and emotionally. You don’t even feel like you are your true self at times but it is also a good time for you to continue building and finding yourself . You have to balance between school, extra-curricular activities, family, social life, and your image of how the public eye will see you and I think that was one of the biggest challenges I went through this year especially as a senior. The pressure of how thousands of eyes will see you on stage was real and that was scary at first but I developed the comfort of being in the spotlight over time throughout training. Being in Upward Bound, it also really prepared me to do a lot of the things that I have done, and I have grown so much from it.
Even though I did not place this year, I still lived the dream that many dreamed of but never got to taste. When I first decided to participate, getting a title wasn’t what I expected for myself but to make the most out of this experience while I still have the time to. At the end of the competition, I still feel like a winner because of all the amount of love and support. Pageantry is not for everyone but I would say that it is worth a try for once in a lifetime if you are really looking for something to keep you busy and an exciting experience . Some of my advice to future participants in the Hmong pageantry would be to do plenty of research and seek as much help as you can for whatever you will be focusing on and start today because it is never too early!
Nyob zoo xyoo tshiab!
Happy New Year and Happy Holidays !
~Tria Thao
c/o 2019 Alumni Updates - Post 2 of 3 Part Series
Current Colleges Represented
Hamline University
Stanford University
UMN - Twin Cities
St. John's University
UMN - Duluth
St. Thomas
St. Cloud State University
What prepared me the MOST for college is?
- Upward Bound
- I would say UB and the summer bridge program APP I did at St. Cloud State University this past summer.
- In my opinion, my organization skills helped me the most because it helps me prioritize my task for the week and with that I more time for myself, friends, and family.
- Taking advantage of other students advice such as using school resources and do work study. Taking college classes in high school helped as well!
- Doing PSEO definitely helped me the most; even at Stanford, there are plenty of freshman struggling because it is their first time being responsible for their own time. PSEO also prepared me for the academic rigor to an extent; had I not done PSEO, I would be struggling much more.
- Upward Bound River Falls - the summer experiences at UWRF. I say that because it really allowed me to gain an insight of what I could expect for what college may be about. It gave me a glimpse of online classes and in person classes, and all the different bonding relationships that can be bonded throughout the summer experience as a college student at UWRF. It really prepared me to open up and meet new people and gave me a better insight.
- Upward Bound and AVID.
- PSEO
- Taking CIS classes!
- Uwrf prepared me the most
- Doing PSEO really prepared me for college. Not only that, but staying on campus at the University of Wisconsin River Falls really is similar to college life here.
What do you like about being in college so far?
- Having a new group of friends
- Getting the choice to pick my classes and having some days off, also when my professors cancel classes.
- I liked how there’s a lot of free time because some days it can be helpful when I need more time to study / finish my homework for a certain class.
- I like how my classes are short and are only on particular days. I like the diversity and women empowerment in my school. Also, I like the campus area, it's very small and easy to walk class to class.
- I have met some truly amazing people, and I like feeling like I'm finally in control of my future; there are so many opportunities here that really empower me.
- I really the the community that I live right now so far. Everyone is very inclusive of everyone. Meeting new people that is not from our Tsev Hmoob learning community is also very fun as we get so much time to hang out and have fun yet also study and help guide each other along to success.
- I like that no one is in my business.
- The free time. You basically make your own schedule and pick when you do what (but this leads to procrastination).
- The freedom
- Independence
- I love the people that I have met. You really get to meet a diverse group of people that comes from so many different backgrounds. Living on campus really help as well with my experience here in college. I'm currently living in a learning living center call "Tsev Hmoob" which is just a specific area in a dorm that are dedicated to first-year Hmong student. This means you really get the chance to meet people that are just like you. College can be fun if you meet the right type of people that you like to be around.
What do you dislike about being in college?
- The expectation of people being grown, but turning out that they act like children.
- I don’t like how there are a lot of readings to do per week. There are more readings than an actual worksheet.
- I don’t like commuting from home to college because If I were to miss my bus, I will have to wait for the next one which means that I would be late for my classes. I also dislike walking from building to building because sometimes the weather can be unexpected and If I forget to bring an umbrella or wear a jacket, then It’ll be hard for me to go to my next class.
- I don't like how the buildings are old fashion.
- Imposer syndrome and duck syndrome are huge problems here, where it is hard not to compare myself to other peoples' success and also everyone works super hard but no one really talks about it. Mental health is somewhat stigmatized, but Stanford is working hard to support students and conversations about mental health.
- I just dislike some of the classes that I am in right now and I wish I could've taken it during my high school year. But I dislike that some of the classes are so big that you won't be able to get as much 1:1 help, but there is definitely resources out there to help me with.
- Some of the people I met there are not my type of people to hang out with.
- Waking up in the morning.
- Not sure..
- Nothing
- The homework load can get overwhelming at times. There are always a perfect schedule and fun classes all the time. The dorm could also use a renovation.
Reminder: Academic Year Monthly Meetings | Save these Dates!
2020
- Jan. 25th, MM
- Feb. 25th, MM
- Mar. 21st MM
- Apr. TBD - Peer Mentoring
- May 16th, Senior Celebration
- May 23rd, MM
Spring 2020 - College Visits
Mar. 6; Friday - Mankato State University
Mar. 31; Tuesday - University of Minnesota - Rochester
Highlight: December Birthdays!
Dec. MM : Photo Reel
Congratulations, MT !
c/o 2020
c/o 2021
c/o 2022
Santa Delivery Service Activity - 1st Place Seniors
Find us @
Washington Technology Magnet: 2nd Floor Office, Room 2642
Email: ub@uwrf.edu | uwrf.ub@gmail.com