THE WARRIORS’ JOURNAL January 2014

The Warriors’ Journal, a publication of the TRiO Veterans Upward Bound program at the University of Pennsylvania, serves as a vehicle to highlight program events and student accomplishments, and provides

an empowering forum for creative expression within the VUB community.

Veterans Upward Bound Mission Statement The TRIO VUB Program, an educational opportunity program funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education, ad-vocates for the learning experience of under-represented Philadelphia area military veterans. The pro-gram provides intensive pre-college academic courses and comprehensive supportive services to pro-

mote the academic development of veterans towards the pursuit of a post-secondary education.

Inside this issue: 2— Director’s Corner By Diane Sandefur 3— 5 Graduation 2013 6– Student Voices: The Effects of War By Kaifumba Komara 7– Student Voices: Through the Lens By Clifton Jones Frederick Douglas By Ronald Smith 8—Student Voices: How to Line Up A Pool Shot by Charles Harring-ton 9—Wharton Collaboration 10—New Faces 11—Program Spotlight

TRIO Veterans Upward Bound at the University of Pennsylvania now has a Facebook page!

To join, log on to facebook.com and search: “TRIO Veterans Upward Bound at the University of Penn”

Congratulations to those heading off to college this

semester and welcome to our incoming students!

We are looking forward to an enriching, inspiring, and fulfilling

Spring 2014 semester!

“Wonderful and fulfilling !”

Fall ‘13 VUB student response when asked about his experience in the program

Director’s Corner Diane Sandefur, VUB Director

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Welcome VUB Students and Staff!

CHANGE: This word can be viewed as scary, difficult, and perhaps impossible to oc-

cur. Or CHANGE can be viewed as something that is effortless and will happen with little to

no struggle. Or CHANGE can be viewed as something that is not intended for you and there-

fore you should continue on the same safe and familiar path as always. Those of us with the

TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program at the University of Pennsylvania are here to tell you

that CHANGE is scary and it can be difficult but it is NEVER impossible. CHANGE will

ONLY occur with effort and with some extent of struggle. Lastly, CHANGE is intended for

everyone and it is up to YOU to see that it happens. How does CHANGE occur—bottom line

it occurs through LOVE – LOVE of yourself and LOVE from one human being to another to

support and encourage you to meet your goals. At VUB you will CHANGE, but it will be

more than improving your grammar skills, math computations or computer skills! Oh yes, all

of that WILL happen, but you are also going to see yourself in a new light, in a way perhaps

that you have never, ever viewed yourself – education has a way of making that happen and so

does surrounding yourself with people who truly care about you. It can be found like this:

What is LOVE at VUB? In math: an equation; in history: a war; in chemistry: a reaction; in

art: a heart; in VUB: YOU! Those of us at VUB want to see you achieve your fullest poten-

tial! We will bend over backwards to support you and help you realize that you have always

had it within you to make your dreams come true. But remember, VUB is a partnership and

you have to show up and put forth your very best effort.

You will find that those of us at VUB greatly appreciate what YOU, our veterans have

done for all of us. We know that you deserve what we offer you: a chance to CHANGE, to

LEARN and to GROW. We promise to provide an environment full of fun, trust, learning,

support, and care. You will have the BEST instructors and tutors you will ever meet, the sup-

plies that you need, information on how to be an amazing student, and the encouragement that

is always needed to be that amazing student!

As the VUB Director I promise that you will each receive the support and encourage-

ment you need to be all that you want to be. Now make a promise to yourself that you will

open your hearts and minds and partner with us to let this happen. VUB will be like no other

experience you will ever have.

Enjoy and thrive!!! Diane Sandefur VUB, Director

“Love is our most unifying and empowering common spir-

itual denominator. The more we ignore its potential to bring

greater balance and deeper meaning to human existence, the

more likely we are to continue to define history as one long

inglorious record of man’s inhumanity to man.”

― Aberjhani

Journey through the Power of the Rainbow:

“Dare to love yourself

as if you were

a rainbow

with gold

at both ends.”

― Aberjhani,

The River of Winged

3

Graduation 2013

Congratulations, Graduates!

We are all so incredibly proud of the hours of studying

and hard work you put in during the 2012-2013 academ-

ic year! As you start your next journey, reflect on how far

you’ve come this year! Your work paid off! It was amaz-

ing celebrating your accomplishments with you, staff,

friends, and family. We will miss seeing you in classes but

remember your VUB family is always a phone call away!

Please feel free to share any additional pictures from the

graduation dinner and ceremony.

Proud VUB Class of

2013 Graduate, Connie

Franklin.

Two of our faithful teachers,

Christine Maki and Roberta

Binderman!

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

Diane congratulating a graduate!

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Graduation 2013

Michael Alexander Community College of

Philadelphia

Michael Anderson Orleans Technical

School

Drew Bendler Undecided

Antonio Bevins Undecided

Gary Boggs Community College of

Philadelphia

Nomadina Bowman Peirce College

Joseph Bradwell Cheney University

Ronald Brown Everest Institute

Merlin Burgess Community College of

Philadelphia

Michael Case Undecided

Renee Clinkscales Undecided

Thomas Conroy Community College of

Philadelphia

Dorothea Coz Community College of

Philadelphia

Joseph Davis Community College of

Philadelphia

Burrell Dozier Community College of

Philadelphia

James Drayton Community College of

Philadelphia

Allen Driscoll Community College of

Philadelphia

Andre Durer Peirce College

Robert Elliot Undecided

Connie Franklin Peirce College

Thomas Freeman Community College of

Philadelphia

Michael Gainey Community College of

Philadelphia

Sherman Griffin Community College of

Philadelphia

Richard Griwicki Undecided

Carlton Hawkes Delaware County

Community College

Sebastian Haynes Community College of

Philadelphia

Derek Hobbs Community College of

Philadelphia

John Hughes Undecided

George Johnson Community College of

Philadelphia

Keith Johnson Empire Beauty School

Carmen Jones Community College of

Philadelphia

Sherwood Jones Delaware County

Community College

Jason Lasalle Art Institute of

Philadelphia

Chase Lewis Community College of

Philadelphia

David Little Community College of

Philadelphia

Samuel Lubin Community College of

Philadelphia

Nadine Lynch Peirce College

Vincent Mason Delaware County

Community College

Willie Mays Peirce College

William McDowell Community College of

Philadelphia

Wendell Miller Community College of

Philadelphia

Dwight Moody Delaware Technical

School

Stephen Murray Community College of

Philadelphia

Veterans Upward Bound Class of 2013: “Oh , the places they’ll go!”

5

Graduation 2013

George Obermeier Community College of

Philadelphia

Charles Quinn Peirce College

Raphael Randles Undecided

Ruben Roderick Undecided

Harry Schonleber Camden County

Community College

Randolph Shaird Community College of

Philadelphia

Roland Sharpe Delaware County

Community College

James Smith Peirce College

John Smith Pennco Technical

School

Michael Stenson Orleans Technical

School

Kelly Thompson Community College of

Philadelphia

Raheim Turner Community College of

Philadelphia

Catherine Vidal Savannah College of Art

and Design

Emmalea Walton Community College

Of Philadelphia

Jamal Williams Underwater Welding

Training

Michael Williams Community College of

Philadelphia

Regina Williams Orleans Technical

School

Kenneth Wilson Community College of

Philadelphia

Elijah Woods ITT Technical Institute

Gregory Wright Long & Foster Real

Estate Training

Charles Young Undecided

The Effects of War By Kaifumba Komara

I have been in the mist of wars more than I care to remember. At age nine, a war broke out in

my country of origin, Liberia, West Africa. Can you imagine a kid at that age seeing so many dead bod-

ies, and women, children and the elderly with their limbs cut off? It was not a pretty sight. I was trau-

matized for months. Then I joined the United States army and was sent to Iraq. Never in my life did I

ever imagine going through something similar to my childhood nightmare, but this time, it was a com-

pletely different kind of war. Nevertheless, it was still war and the aftermath is still the same. To share

some light on the subject, below are some of the effects of war.

Families are torn apart and are never the same; kids are raised with that constant fear of looking

over their shoulders the rest of their lives. Parents become more protective and tough in preparation for

the worst possible situation. Then there is isolation, not knowing who to trust and your basic animal

survival instinct kicks in keeping you on your toes and always on the lookout.

Furthermore, there is a lack of the basic necessities like running water, scarcity of food, and

medicine due to theft and looting of businesses, hospitals, supermarkets and grocery stores. Water

plants and electrical facilities are shut down since there is no one to operate them or due to total destruc-

tion, the lack of law and order to protect properties and businesses that provide such commodities. The

country is at the beginning stage of rebuilding but still in chaos because of insufficient leadership. Many

of whom fled the country or met their demise as casualties of war, in some cases, targeted.

The need for hatred grows and spreads like wild fire amongst the different ethnic groups. Some

may be the direct or indirect results of the different warring fashions who specifically targeted certain

ethnic groups causing the need for vendetta against each other. Some ethnic groups felt the need to

eradicate others like the plaque because they felt that they did not belong or have the right to be part of

society, and in other cases, it is just mere envy.

So, one may ask, why do countries fight wars knowing that the effects are devastating and the

aftermath are so catastrophic that it scares you for life. There is no easy answer, but mankind has an

insatiable greed for power and wealth, a hunger for uncontrollable destruction of oneself through envy

and jealousy. If we can take the time to accept and respect one another regardless of religion, color, race

or gender, love dearly and have dialogs through mutual understanding and peaceful resolutions, the

world will be a better place for all.

6

Student Voices

7

Student Voices

Through The Lens with Clifton Current VUB student Clifton Jones captured our

rainy October outing to tour the beautiful Chestnut

Hill College. See it from his perspective.

Frederick Douglass By Ronald Smith

The story of Frederick Douglas is about himself, a slave educating himself to be more

than a slave. His story is about educating the world during his time and through the years to

the current time. His purpose was to not only help himself and his cohorts, but to educate

those who were ignorant about slavery.

He was raised in Master Hugh’s family in Maryland. Frederick was interested about

learning to read and write. His Mistress, Mrs. Hughes, initially instructed him. Then, at one

point she placed blockages on his development. He then took it upon himself to learn from the

street urchins. He was tenacious and nothing was going to stop him from learning.

He escaped from slavery in Maryland when he was twenty-one years of age. About

three years later at a meeting of abolitionists in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Frederick Douglas

arose from the audience to speak about his experiences. He was compelled to voice his opin-

ion about how he felt. The most prominent abolitionist in America at that time was William

Garrison. He had become so moved that he hired Mr. Douglas to lecture for the Anti-Slavery

Society. After a period of approximately four years, in 1845, Frederick Douglas was accused

of being an imposter. He then wrote the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas.

Douglas hoped that his essay would “do” something to throw light on the slave system

and possibly offer deliverance to millions in bondage. He wanted people to not be captive and

he did not want cruelty, inhumaneness, or torment. He wanted everyone to know of the brutal-

ity of physical, emotional and spiritual slavery. He wanted freedom for all.

In conclusion, Frederick Douglas came to grips with his imagination. He was enlight-

ened, informed and knowledgeable about learning to read since so much had been revealed to

him through his readings. Through reading, unhidden truths became known to him, and were

relinquished to him. The truth was no longer unknown.

How to Line Up a Pool Shot By Charles Harrington

Pool is a game that everyone in the family can enjoy. It’s a lot of fun and not hard to

play once the basics of the game have been learned. I’ve been playing pool since I was 10

years old. My dad gave me a pool table as a Christmas present one year, and my friends and I

would spend hours playing in my basement. I soon fell in love with the game and have been

playing pool ever since. Today, I’m the captain of a semi-pro pool team in Lebanon County,

and I’m still enjoying the game now just as much as I did when I was a little boy. I’ll tell you a

little secret that many people don’t know, and give you a few pointers if you promise not to tell

anyone! Playing pool is easy, once you learn how to line up a shot.

In order to line up a pool shot, it is very important to know the three main elements of a

pool shot. These elements are the “cue ball”, the “object ball”, and the “intended pocket”.

They are a part of every pool shot. Sinking balls into the pocket is the main objective of the

game of pool, so it’s important to understand the role these elements play in making a shot.

The “cue ball” is the white ball that is hit into the ball being aimed at called the “object ball”.

After being hit by the “cue ball”, the “object ball” travels towards the desired or “intended

pocket”. If the shot is lined up correctly, the “object ball “will fall into the “intended pocket”.

Understanding these three elements of a pool shot and the role they play in the game of pool, is

an important part of learning how to line up a pool shot correctly.

Now that you have an understanding of the three elements of a pool shot, and how those

elements relate to every shot, it’s time to learn a basic aiming technique. Many pool players

begin aiming they’re shot by looking at the “cue ball” first, then lining it up with the “object

ball”, and finally, lining the “object ball” up with the “intended pocket”. The technique I find

most successful employs a much different approach. It begins at the “intended pocket” first.

Find the imaginary line that dissects the center of the “intended pocket”, and goes through the

middle of the “object ball”. The “cue ball” must strike the point where this imaginary line exits

the “object ball”. This will send the “object ball” on the correct path into the “intended pock-

et”. How a person holds the front of the pool cue in their hand is called a “bridge”. It’s very

important to use a stable “bridge”, so that the front end of the pool cue doesn’t move when the

player starts to shoot. Last, but not least, remember your “line of sight”. Line of sight refers to

the point where your eyes should be focused when the cue stick makes contact with the cue

ball. It should always be on the object ball at the point you want the cue ball to hit. This sim-

ple aiming technique should be used for every shot, and with practice it will improve your play

immensely.

Your skills at lining up shots will improve the more you practice. The more shots you

take, the more your confidence will grow. Becoming a good pool player requires practice.

You should practice on your own, and definitely practice by playing against other players. I’ve

taught many people how to play pool and line up shots. I cannot overemphasize the im-

portance of playing regularly to improve your skills, and increase your confidence.

It’s now time to put what you’ve learned into action. So play a game of pool and get

the fun started. Play often and with friends. You will see a whole new world of fun, and ex-

citement, come to life for you. Then you will know why I say, that “playing pool is fun once

you learn how to line up a shot”.

8

Student Voices

9

Wharton Collaboration

First Year Wharton Students Make A

Difference Two freshmen groups in the first year

Wharton Business School class Management

100 chose to focus on a collaboration assisting

Veterans Upward Bound. The Management

Mavericks centered their efforts around secur-

ing funds to supply end of semester rewards

for students. Gifts have been used in lieu of

stipends, an incentive available to students be-

fore program budget cuts. Over $2,200 dollars

was raised, which allowed the purchasing of

donations from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and

Williams and Sonoma, as well as polo shirts

with the VUB logo.

Suitable Solutions, the other freshmen group, reached out to businesses like Comcast

and Goldman Sachs, as well as various departments on campus, to procure dress clothing items

to offer Veterans complete suits. Over 1,000 clothing pieces were collected. Distribution of the

items took place in early December at the Veterans Upward Bound office, and other veteran-

serving organizations over the city. One VUB student attributed a job offer to his new suit.

VUB staff and students are so thankful for the enthusiasm, talent, and passion that these

Wharton students shared with our program. We are honored to have worked with them and

look forward to future collaborations.

“I love my comforter set I got as an end of

semester reward! It’s nice to have my hard

work and participation noticed and reward-

ed!” - VUB Student

“This is the first suit I’ve ever

owned. Now people will take

me seriously when I go to apply

for jobs.” VUB Student

10

New Faces

Paige Walker joined the VUB family this past September as we bid farewell to outgoing counselor Todd Derby. Derby, now director for the Trio program Talent Search, is still in Suite 260 so you can stop in and say hi to him. Walker relocated from Upstate New York to Philadelphia this past summer and is so excited to be with VUB. Paige earned a Masters in Social Work from SUNY Binghamton, where she cultivated a passion for working with individuals, groups, and communities to empower themselves and recognize their strengths. Walker was awarded the 2012 Social Work Student of the Year prize by the Nation-al Association of Social Workers—New York State Chapter for her work with community engagement and disaster mental health. Walker feels privileged to work with VUB students. “They have—and continue to - overcome so much. Our students are resilient, strong, in-telligent, and inspiring” she says of her work. Two of her favorite quotes summarize her experience with VUB: “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life” from Confucius and “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do” from the Sufi poet Rumi. Please stop by and say hi to her!

Get to know Paige:

Likes: owls, the color

orange, her Scottish

Terrier.

Favorite Books: “Life

of Pi” by Yann Martel

and “Where Do We Go

From Here: From Cha-

os to Community” by

Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr.

Life Philosophy: “Live

by the 3 Ps: Patience,

Persistence, and

Passion.

Rob Banks

Raymond Barbour

Keenan Britt

Theond Brown

David Bryant

Don Chapman

Randy Cuthbert

David Devoue

Barry Evans

Will Gentry

Clyde Halemano

Charles Harrington

John Jamison

Algrie Johnson

Burton Johnson

Clifton Jones

Lola Lowe

Ricardo Martin

Elijah Peters

Dennis Powel

Jose Rivera

Jerome Roulac

Terrance Silas

Ronald Smith

Peter Strubert

Frank Taylor

Michael Thrower

Cardos Washington

Abraham Wheeler

Glenn Williams

Jennifer Brooks

William Caldwell

Ronald Canty

Henry Dillard

Patrick Deyong

Wayne Faucett

Earl Henry

Matthew Lee

John Morris

Raymond Werstler

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Veterans Upward Bound Scholarship Fund

One way of making a positive difference in the life of a VUB graduate is to award scholarship monies that will help fund their college education. The TRiO Veterans Upward Bound Program at the Univer-sity of Pennsylvania offers three scholarships annually. The scholarships support TRIO VUB Graduates

to offset their college expenses. Every VUB recipient of the scholarship funds is a deserving and suc-cessful student.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship fund, you may mail your check to: “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania”, Attn: Diane Sandefur, Director of VUB, 220 S.

40th St. Suite 260, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Or go here to make an online contribution: https://medley07.isc-seo.upenn.edu/giving/jsp/fast.do

and type in TRIO Veterans Upward Bound in the upper right hand select box.

Above: VUB Students Charles, Drew, Dennis, and Theond on

the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps with director, Diane, after

walking over seven miles in the 27th annual Philly Aids Walk

October 20th. Below: VUB Students Dennis and Charles walk

with counselor, Paige, at the Diabetes Walk October 5th.

Program Spotlight

Here at Veterans Upward

Bound, we strive to empower

our students to be well-rounded!

This means providing opportuni-

ties for development in the

classroom, as well as in the

greater community! Vet 4 Giving

is our program component to

engage our students in mean-

ingful activities and community

service. Studies come first, but a

few activities are planned

throughout each semester to

give students a much needed

break from academics, social

outing, and chance to give back!

In Fall 2013, students

raised awareness of important

issues like Diabetes and HIV/

AIDS by participating in local

walks. If you have an idea for a

Vet 4 Giving event, contact the

office and let us know!

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The Final Page

TRiO Veterans Upward Bound Program—Equity and Access Programs, University of Pennsylvania—220 South 40th Street, Suite 260—Philadelphia, PA

19104-3512, (215) 898-6892, http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/#/vub. For weather emergencies call the VUB Office 215-898-6892 OR 215-898-MELT.