Upward Bound Celebrates Class of 2025 at Annual Senior Banquet

The Upward Bound program proudly celebrated the achievements of its graduating Class of 2025 at a heartfelt Senior Banquet held on Wednesday, May 14, at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Riverside. More than 100 students, families, friends, and staff gathered to honor the 43 graduates from Jurupa Valley High School, Patriot High School, and Rubidoux High School in the Jurupa Unified School District.

Thomas Cruz-Soto, Ed.D., Dean of Student Services at Riverside City College (RCC), opened the evening with a message of congratulations and encouragement. He praised students for their perseverance and academic success, urging them to seize new opportunities as they transition to college—highlighting RCC’s residential housing partnership with UC Riverside as a key resource for those continuing their education locally.

This year’s graduates have been accepted to an impressive range of institutions, including UC Riverside, CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Fullerton, UC Santa Barbara, and UCLA. Approximately one-quarter of the graduating class will be attending RCC in the fall, a testament to the program’s strong connection to the college and its supportive pathways.

The evening served as a joyful send-off for students and a celebration of their hard work, growth, and the bright futures that lie ahead.

About Upward Bound Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program that provides high school students from low-income families and first-generation college backgrounds with academic support, college preparation, and mentoring to help them succeed in higher education.