Upward Bound Grad Receives Maureen Hoover Award

Photo Submitted

Carlos Hernandez

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Carlos Hernandez of Fayetteville was recently presented with the Maureen Hoover Memorial Award, given annually in memory of the late Maureen Hoover, a former Upward Bound director. The award honors an outstanding graduate of the University of Arkansas Upward Bound programs. The award includes a $250 stipend, which has helped Hernandez in his transition to his first year at the University of Arkansas.

Hernandez was selected for the award based on the expectations that Hoover set for all of her students. These include outstanding determination and leadership and a strong commitment to Upward Bound's goals of college readiness, enrollment and completion. Hoover fought hard to reward students who had been consistently diligent and who were dedicated to the program throughout their high school careers. She also placed a high value in students having a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and the ability to lead others.

“Carlos is an exceptional young man and most deserving of this special honor,” said Ena Bolden, a current university Upward Bound director. “He embodies all of the values associated with the Maureen Hoover Memorial Award and is an outstanding selection.”

Now a freshman biology major at the University of Arkansas, Hernandez credits Upward Bound for helping him get to college and for keeping the focus on his goals. 

“Upward Bound helped me gain a clear idea of the career I wanted to pursue, and the wonderful staff made my road to college a much smoother journey,” said Hernandez. 

Part of the office of diversity affairs, Upward Bound is a college preparation program that brings students in grades 9-12 to the University of Arkansas campus on weekends and during the summer to receive instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature and foreign languages. The Upward Bound programs also provide academic and social support through tutoring, career exploration, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, financial literacy, field trips and college planning. For students just completing their senior year of high school, Upward Bound provides a summer residential bridge program in which participants earn up to six hours of college credit. 

Hernandez, a graduate of Fayetteville High School, is the fourth recipient of the Maureen Hoover Memorial Award. Previous recipients are Roberto Garcia of Rogers, Cassandra Keller of Prairie Grove and Isaiah Span of Fort Smith. The award is made possible through an endowment established by Hoover’s family and managed by the Fayetteville Area Community Foundation.