07/24/2026
As we come to the near end, we couldn't let the moment go by...
There is something really special about watching young people choose to pour into other younger people. This summer our PAs chose EMU Upward Bound AGAIN. Ms. Zowa, Ms. Mon, and Mr. Stanley reminds us why Peer Advisors are such an important part of our Summer Academy experience.
Yes, they helped with curfew, room checks, attendance, activities, and making sure scholars were where they needed to be. But what they really did was build relationships, help our scholars find confidence and they became role models.
They became trusted adults. They listened. They laughed. They gave advice when it was needed and space when it wasn't. They celebrated our scholars, challenged them, and showed up every single day with patience and care.
Our scholars don't just need adults in leadership, they need to see college students who look like them, who have walked similar paths, and who can say, "I've been where you are, and you can do this too."
That representation matters. What we appreciate most is that they showed up each day themselves. Genuine. REAL. Funny. Caring. Consistent. And our scholars responded to that authenticity.
Summer Academy is a team effort, and our PAs became an extension of our full-time staff. They worked long days, gave up a weekend and survived camping, late-night conversations, early morning wake-ups, and everything in between, and they never lost sight of why we do this work.
So, to Ms. Zowa, Ms. Mon, and Mr. Stanley... thank you for choosing our scholars every single day. Thank you for leading with your heart. We hope that you saw your true worked reflected in the young people that look up to you!
