Helping vets brush up on school

GRAND JUNCTION — As an Army reservist for 14 years, Sam Rascon didn’t expect he’d be going to war, although he always knew it was a possibility.

In 2003, the Grand Junction native’s unit was called to Iraq, and Rascon spent a year in Tikrit rebuilding what had been destroyed.

Meanwhile, his son, now 14, was cared for by the boy’s mother and Rascon’s parents.

Rascon, a single dad, plans to send his son to college some day. But first, Rascon is going.

He’s ready, thanks to a federally funded program that helps veterans ease back into academic life.

Created in 1972 to help returning Vietnam veterans transition more easily to college and civilian life, the program, which is administered from Metropolitan State College in Denver, was brought to Mesa County in 2002. Approximately 40 veterans here have taken part in the program.

“I wanted to serve more veterans throughout the state. I saw there was a need here,” said Upward Bound Director Leroy Chavez, a Grand Junction native. “I found Mesa County (in 2002) had a higher need because income levels were 7 percent lower than the rest of the state and the unemployment rate was 11 percent higher.”

Rascon, 40, was recently awarded the outstanding student award for scholastic excellence after completing Upward Bound courses he took to prepare himself for classes at Mesa State College in January. He plans to become a family and youth counselor.

“It’s intimidating to go back to school when you’ve been out so long,” said Rascon, who graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 1986. “This really helps break that ice.”

Taking refresher classes, which are held at Mesa State College in the evenings, helped him “dust the cobwebs off,” Rascon said.

“What was fun, my son was taking algebra as well. We’d help each other with homework,” Rascon said.

Chavez, 41, attended the program in 1993, after serving in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm.

“I’d been out of school and felt the need to refresh those academic skills,” Chavez said. Chavez then attended and graduated from Metropolitan State College in Denver with a degree in political science.

Alton Clark, the program’s associate director, is also a veteran, who served during the Vietnam era, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Clark received a permanent medical discharge after 16 1/2 years in the military. He wanted to work with computers but needed a college degree. Twenty-three years after graduating from high school, Clark began college after first taking a few fresher courses through Veterans Upward Bound.

“Not to be confused with Outward Bound. We don’t go camping,” Clark said.

“We did enough of that,” said Rascon with a laugh.

Giving back

There are 42 Veterans Upward Bound programs around the country, including Guam and Puerto Rico.

Students can brush up on their math, science, English and Spanish. Sometimes a study skills class is offered.

One of the teachers in the Mesa County program is Lydia DeLaRosa, who was awarded the outstanding instructor award for 2007-08.

Site coordinator Valorie Maes gave DeLaRosa the award based on her observations and feedback from the veterans.

Maes said she appreciated the extra time DeLaRosa gave her students.

“She worked with students outside of class time, including Saturdays and Sundays,” Maes said.

“Vets have a very busy life — working, parenting — I thought it was important to be flexible,” DeLaRosa said.

Both of DeLaRosa’s brothers served during the Vietnam war. Her father is a World War II veteran, and her grandfather fought in World War I.

“I lost several cousins, boys I went to school with,” DeLaRosa said. “For me, it’s an opportunity to give back to people who were so courageous for this country. It’s very gratifying.”

Veterans interested in the program must have completed 180 days of active service. To qualify for the program they must also be the first generation to go to college, or earn a low income. Veterans can also receive help through the program navigating the process of applying for college financial aid. The program is free to the veterans.

Semesters are broken up into three modules, the next one starting Sept. 8. Veterans may enroll at the beginning of any module.

DeLaRosa’s students ranged in ages from 32 to 62.

“Their aspirations vary,” DeLaRosa said. Her oldest student, a Vietnam-era veteran, was preparing to take his GED exam. Others, like Rascon, are readying themselves for college.

“We call it a pre-collegiate experience,” Chavez said. “It simulates what a vet can expect before taking on a full college load. They learn how to make adjustments, to schedule and still meet their obligations.”

Veterans interested in more information or applying for the program can contact Maes at 256-2465.

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.