Avila Upward Bound

Officially Missouri Teacher of the Year… but unofficially she’s been OUR Teacher of the Year since day one 🏆🍎✨ Congratulations Ms. Sixta!

News Release ➡ Kimberly Sixta, a Social Studies teacher at Ruskin High School in Hickman Mills C-1 School District, Kansas City Mo., is named the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year!

Sixta is the 57th Missouri Teacher of the Year and will represent Missouri at the National Teacher of the Year program.

Read the full news release here: https://dese.mo.gov/dese-announces-kimberly-sixta-2026-missouri-teacher-year

We are so lucky to have Ms. Sixta’s willingness to spend some of her free time working alongside us and with our students, sharing her wonderful expertise!

Congratulations to our third 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist!
Kimberly Sixta, Hickman Mills C-1 School District, Kansas City Mo.



Check back in 30 minutes for the announcement of our next finalist.

As promised, here are a few snapshots of our trip to Minnesota, where our summer classes came to life!

A few highlights include:
➡️ College Visits to North Central University, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and Minneapolis Institute of Art
➡️ Bohemian Flats Park
➡️ Minnehaha Regional Park
➡️ Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden
➡️ COMO Park Zoo and Conservatory
➡️ Paisley Park

We've got a lot of catching up to do, ya'll!

We've been busy with our Summer Excellence Institute over the past five weeks, wrapping up our last week with an immersive trip to Minnesota this week, where our lessons from this summer are coming to life (stay tuned for those pictures). It has been an amazing summer filled with growth, learning, and laughter.

Here at Avila University, we’ve been hosting Upward Bound since 1995, meaning this is our 30th SEI! This summer, our students took core courses and electives that went beyond the ordinary. We explored entrepreneurship, fashion and art, team sports, and even dove deep into Minnesota culture and the legacy of Prince—because why not learn from a legend?

It’s been a summer of trying new things, pushing boundaries, and growing in confidence.

Check out some of the memories we captured here!

Our Upward Bound students think they moved to Hawaii after that Luau Night 🌺🌴—but surprise! It’s just college life with a tropical twist 😎📚 We are all moved in and looking forward to a summer full of learning, laughs, and lei'd-back vibes!

We’d love to hear how TRIO has impacted you in the comments ⤵️

Honoring a True TRIO Champion!

Join us in celebrating Ernest Fields, Principal at Ruskin High School and a proud former Upward Bound student, as our TRIO Champion Award recipient!

Mr. Fields has gone above and beyond in supporting our TRIO Upward Bound program—advocating for our mission, empowering students, and giving back to the same program that helped shape his journey.

Thank you, Mr. Fields, for being a shining example of full-circle success and for championing the future of our students every step of the way!

What would a week be without a college visit? Upward Bound students are on the move, exploring all that Northwest Missouri State University has to offer. College dreams are becoming college plans!

Spring Break Highlight Number✌️

Spring Break means College Visit Season! Our goal is to help our students explore their options and find the best fit for their future. Seeing different campuses, meeting students, and experiencing college life firsthand helps them decide what they truly want in a school. 🏫💡

From big universities to small colleges, urban campuses to quiet retreats—every visit is a step toward their dreams! 🌟

In the past two weeks we have visited:
✅University of Missouri - St. Louis
✅Harris-Stowe State University
✅Saint Louis University
✅University of Central Missouri

We also had time to get in some enrichment opportunities through a tour of the Mildred Lane Kemper Museum, exploration at the Museum of Illusions, and immersing ourselves in the St. Louis culture by visiting the Gateway Arch & Ballpark Village.

I think it's safe to say we made the most of Spring Break! ☀️