Amanda Heslar started with Upward Bound as a sophomore in 2000 and continued with UB through her graduation from Western Brown HS in Mt. Orab, Ohio in 2003. A member of the National Honor Society, Amanda maintained a GPA above 3.8 throughout high school, and graduated 6^th in her class. Not only did she receive accolades for her academic performance, but was awarded the Betty Canter Memorial Scholarship, for her outstanding ability to take the initiative in helping teachers and staff.

Currently an Honors student at the University of Cincinnati, Amanda is pursuing a Physics and Spanish double major, a math minor, a Global Studies Certificate, a Research and Creative Arts Certificate, and a Spanish Business Certificate. She also is secretary of Club Hispano, treasurer of the Society of Physics Students, member of Alpha Lambda Delta (honor society) and a member of University Honors Association. Amanda is a recipient of the Cincinnatus Scholarship, the McMicken Dean’s Scholarship, and the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship; she still finds time to assist in her college finances by working two work-study jobs: tutoring in the Physics Learning Center and assisting in the Honors Scholars Program office.

Amanda’s participation with Trio didn’t stop with UB; she is now a participant with the McNair Program, and is learning how to write a research proposal. Summer plans include doing physics research on the properties of black holes and the effects they have on surrounding matter. She plans to continue her education into grad school, with the hope of earning a Ph.D in Physics and working in research.

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys reading, listening to country music, and spending time with her two nephews when she gets the chance to go home on the week-end.

Amanda says, “Upward Bound helped me in more ways than I realized……I was very shy before I joined Upward Bound. Afterwards, I had made many friends with people I never would have (otherwise) met. The experiences of seeing different places……and learning to be more self-sufficient by adapting to unfamiliar places are things I’ll always use and build on.”