TRIO/ GEAR UP 2008 ACHIEVERS

Kadey Higinio, Jr.

           Kadey Higinio has been a participant of the UNLV GEAR UP Program since 2005. He began as a 6th grade student at Monaco MS. The first two years, Kadey participated in the after school programs, Summer Camps, and several UNLV GEAR UP field trips. He also participated in many of the UNLV GEAR UP activities held during the April College Awareness month However, this year, due to his familial obligations, Kadey has not been able to be a part of the after school program. Although, he received other GEAR UP services such as in-class tutoring, he makes sure he and his family attend Family Nights and the Monaco Open House.
            Kadey is a team player and enjoys participating in program activities to increase his knowledge. He credits the UNLV GEAR UP Program services for helping him decide to pursue a college education and obtain a law degree in order to help others. Kadey states that UNLV GEAR UP has also helped him meet new people in school and provided opportunities for fun. He received the Benjamin Banneker Award in 2006 for excellence in the areas of math and science. His current GPA is 3.29, and as a result, made “A/B” Honor Roll this reporting period; additionally, he is ranked 41 out of 461 8th grade students at Monaco MS.
            Kadey has had to overcome several obstacles in his pursuit of a better life and an even brighter future. He grew up without his mother, with whom he had ceased communicating since the age of 7. However, recently, he and his mother have begun communicating and rebuilding a mother-son relationship. Kadey states that the peer pressure situations of dealing with drug use at school are also obstacles that he must avoid in order to remain motivated and stay on track with his goals. Despite all of this, he has his father, with whom he is very close and who attended community college and received an AA degree, as a positive role model in his life.
           It is because of Kadey’s friendly and outgoing personality, his motivation and determination to do well in school and to dream big for the future, that the Monaco UNLV GEAR UP staff chose him as a 2007 UNLV GEAR UP/TRIO Day Honoree. We have no doubt that Kadey will achieve his dreams and that he has the capacity to overcome any obstacle in order to reach his fullest potential.