Voorhees GEAR UP

10/03/2026

📣 Calling all VUGU Seniors! Scholarships are waiting—Apply, Apply, Apply! 🎓💰

Have you checked your LIFE Scholarship eligibility? You could receive up to $5,000 per academic year at an eligible South Carolina college!

✅ 2-year college: At least a 3.0 SC UGP GPA.
✅ 4-year college: Meet TWO of these THREE:
• 3.0 SC UGP GPA
• 1100 SAT or 22 ACT
• Top 30% of your graduating class

Additional eligibility requirements apply. Talk with your school counselor or GEAR UP advisor, and confirm eligibility with your college’s financial aid office.

Your hard work could be worth thousands! 🌟

10/03/2026

💡✨ LIGHTING THE WAY WITH VOORHEES UNIVERSITY GEAR UP! ✨💡

Voorhees University GEAR UP proudly celebrated National GEAR UP Week, September 21–25, 2026, alongside our partner schools throughout South Carolina! This year’s theme, “Lighting the Way,” celebrated our students’ potential and the support that helps them prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school. 🎓🌟

Our schools brought the theme to life through exciting activities:

🛼 Bethune-Bowman High School brought a skating rink to campus, combining fun with conversations about academic goals and future opportunities.

💭 High School for Health Professions kicked off a week of activities with a GEAR UP Dream Wall, encouraging students to turn their dreams into achievable plans.

👕 Hampton County High School celebrated College T-Shirt Day and Hurricanes GEAR UP Day, building school spirit and awareness of postsecondary opportunities.

💚 Colleton County High School started the week with Health Day, highlighting how physical, mental, and emotional wellness supports student success.

🍬 Blackville-Hilda High School and Williston-Elko High School recognized students with sweet treats and encouragement.

📣 Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Allendale-Fairfax, Bethune-Bowman, Calhoun County, and High School for Health Professions distributed National GEAR UP Week buttons, giving students a visible reminder that their goals matter!

Each celebration helped students feel connected, appreciated, and supported as they plan for their futures. ❤️

A special THANK YOU to our graduation coaches and partner school teams for your creativity, dedication, and commitment to building a college-going culture! Watching our first graduating senior class prepare for the next chapter brings us joy beyond measure. Our VUGU seniors are lighting the way for our junior cohort! 🎓✨

09/22/2026

🎓 Seniors and families: get ready for FAFSA! The 2027–28 FAFSA opens October 1, 2026. Create your StudentAid.gov account, gather your financial information, and make a list of colleges you’re considering. Visit FAFSA.gov to get started! 💙💚

05/08/2026

✨❤️ Celebrating Excellence ❤️✨

Please help us congratulate Ms.Glover, Graduation Coach with Voorhees University GEAR UP, on being recognized as Support Staff of the Year at the High School for Health Professions! 🎉🍎

Ms. Glover’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to student success continue to make a lasting impact every single day. From encouraging students to reach their academic goals to providing support and motivation, she truly goes above and beyond for the students and school community she serves.

This recognition is well deserved, and we are incredibly proud to have Ms. Glover as a part of the VU GEAR UP family! ❤️💙

Congratulations, Ms. Glover! Your hard work, heart, and passion do not go unnoticed. 🌟

04/02/2026

🎉 GEAR UP Day 2026 at Voorhees University! 🎓

This past Saturday, March 28, VU GEAR UP, in partnership with Voorhees University, welcomed over 550 10th & 11th grade students from across the region for an unforgettable day of college exposure, learning, and fun!

Students explored admissions, student life, and athletics, while experiencing campus life firsthand.

We extend our deepest thanks to Voorhees University for their valued partnership, VU staff and student ambassadors for their hands-on support and dedication, and our VUGU Graduation Coaches for the unwavering commitment they show in preparing our students for success.

✨ Events like this continue to increase college awareness and prepare students for the next level of excellence.

02/27/2026

💙VU GEAR UP Family 💙

We are deeply saddened by the recent loss within our GEAR UP community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and all those impacted during this difficult time.

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the passing of one of our 11th-grade students, Damontre’ Moore.

Damontre' was a valued member of our school family, and his loss is deeply felt by our students, staff, and the entire community. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this incredibly painful time.

01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year from Voorhees University GEAR UP! ✨

As we welcome the New Year, we wish our students, families, educators, and community partners continued success, growth, and new opportunities. May this year be filled with purpose, progress, and college-bound dreams coming true. 🎓🎉

Cheers to a bright and successful year ahead!

12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from Voorhees University GEAR UP! 🎄

Wishing our students, families, educators, and community partners a joyful, peaceful holiday season filled with hope and inspiration. ✨💙💛

— Voorhees University GEAR UP

12/08/2025

Lewisville High School GEAR UP students had an amazing experience touring the University of South Carolina! Out of 112 eligible students, 45 attended and gained real insight into admissions, majors, housing, and student life. Many shared that this trip helped them picture themselves on a college campus for the first time. The tour boosted their confidence, curiosity, and motivation—setting a strong foundation for the college and career opportunities we have planned this year. 🎓✨

11/11/2025

🔥 Colleton County GEAR UP Hit the Road! 🔥
On November 7, 2025, our Colleton GEAR UP students, in partnership with Voorhees University GEAR UP, spent the day exploring powerful postsecondary pathways at Arclabs Welding School and the College of Charleston!

🔧 Arclabs Welding School gave our students a front-row seat to hands-on training and real-world opportunities. Students were fully engaged as presenters shared the skills needed in today’s workforce and the exciting earning potential in the welding industry.
💬 One moment that lit up the entire room was when students learned that Arclabs graduates can earn $60,000+ per year with just 6 months of training. Talk about life-changing possibilities!

🎓 Afterward, students toured the College of Charleston, taking in the beautiful campus, learning about college majors, admissions, and student life. They asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine curiosity about their future options.

✨ Overall, the students were attentive, respectful, and energized as they discovered how many doors are waiting to open for them.

Thank you to Arclabs Welding School and the College of Charleston for hosting our scholars and showing them what’s possible after high school.

💙 Voorhees University GEAR UP is proud to support our students as they explore careers, college, and bright futures! 🤝