University of Southern Maine

News Releases

Upward Bound at USM student Selected as a Dell Scholar

May 16, 2006

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (http://www.dellscholars.org) recently named 200 graduating high school seniors as Dell Scholars. Zakaria Yousaf, a senior at Portland High School and participant in the Upward Bound at USM program, was among them. Yousaf will be awarded $20,000 to attend the college of his choice.

Yousaf was born in Somalia and came with his family to the United States in 2000 to escape war. He enrolled at Portland High School as a freshman. In his four years, he has been active with co-curricular activities including the Academic Decathlon, Model United Nations, and the varsity wrestling team. He will graduate with a 90.0 cumulative grade point average. 

Joyce Cote, assistant director of the Upward Bound at USM program, said "Zak is an incredible young man, who speaks four different languages and helps others in his community who struggle with the English language." Cote went on to note "Zak has placed his focus on education as a means to improve his life and the lives of the people around him." 

Yousaf has impressive aspirations. He said, "What makes my urge for success so strong is the immense amount of potential that others and I see in me. This yearning I have to attend college has sparked an urge to go after anything regardless of how impossible it may be." 

Susan Dell states, "Our goal with the Dell Scholars Program is to help these motivated students fulfill their dream of a college education. The Dell Scholars program is designed to reward students' determination to succeed. The program enables underserved students with financial need to achieve their greatest potential through higher education." Michael and Susan Dell started the Dell Scholars Program started in 2004. Since then, 450 scholarships have been awarded.

Upward Bound is a federally-funded program established by Congress to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate, and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life. USM has hosted an Upward Bound program for 10 years. Approximately 235 students have graduated from the Upward Bound at USM program.

MORE INFORMATION: Johannah Burdin, USM Upward Bound can be reached at 780-5231. Judie O'Malley of USM Public Affairs at 780-4200.

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