Parent Academy 1 GEAR-UP Trip University of Washington/Boeing’s Museum of Flight - Saturday, July 28-2007

Parents on the University of Washington Campus. Left to Right: PJ Dagdagan, Shirley Dagdagan, Lynn Baluca, Mary Ann Dosono, Romie Gonzales, Lupe Ochoa, Alicia Meza, Andy Pascua, Dori Baker, Sidalia Mendoza, Darena AhQuin, Darlene Gomez, Roy Gomez, Maria Romero, Oralia Cisneros, Floriberta Cervantes, Jennie Honanie and Antonio Cervantes.

The University of Washington GEAR-UP, in partnership with the Washington State University’s College Spark, sponsored a parent trip to the University of Washington and to Boeing’s Museum of Flight.  The trip was planned for parents who attended the very first Parent Academy held on July 10, 11, and 17, and 18.  The trip was open to other GEAR-UP parents, WSU Early Outreach Parents and invited guests/observers.  The Parent Academy was developed to nurture more parent involvement under the UW/GEAR-UP4 Families Programs.

The early morning bus arrived in Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato and East Valley to gather parents from these towns as well as parents coming from Granger, Grandview, Mabton, Zillah and the Yakama Nation Tribal School.  The bus trip was planned to allow parents the opportunity to visit a university campus and to learn more about the milestones in the field of aeronautical engineering.  The movie shown on the trip to Seattle was Freedom Rider.   

Stephanie Miller, UW/OMA and Jennifer Schoen, UW/Washington State Achievers Program, arranged an Admissions Tour of the UW campus from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.  An early request for a bilingual tour guide was honored and Andrea Negrete, from the small town of Mattawa, was there to greet them.  Andrea guided the parents to the libraries, study halls, computer labs, dorms and dining facilities.  As she toured with the parents, she also covered security, transportation, tutors, FASA, Pell Grants, internships with major companies in Puget Sound, and work study programs.  Andrea also explained the unique architecture of the buildings and details of Red Square and the roses around the Fountain.  Coming from a small town, Andrea instinctively knew the parent concerns and fully addressed them to the satisfaction of the parents.  The parents left UW with knowledge and insight to bring back to their families.

From UW, the bus took parents to Tukwila and Boeing’s Museum of Flight.  Lunch was planned at the museum’s Wings Café.  Enrique Morales, VP Admissions/OMA and Jose Vidot, WSU/Early Outreach spoke with the parents and also listened to their concerns about their children having the requirements to attend a university.

Parent Academy 1 GEAR-UP Trip University of Washington/Boeing’s Museum of Flight - Saturday, July 28-2007

Left to Right: Darena AhQuinn, Lupe Ochoa, Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and Sidalia Mendoza Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria gave a lecture at the Boeing Museum of Flight on his Soyuz-NASA space flights; he holds the record for the most space walks. Photo by Romie Gonzales

The parents had the rare opportunity of attending a special lecture/photo presentation by Michael Lopez-Alegria, the astronaut who holds the record for the most space walks, who also flew into space with the Russians on their Soyuz missions.  Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, who is from Outlook, WA was present as one of the Directors of the Museum of Flight.  The museum tour began the Wright Brothers and the humble beginnings of Alaska Airlines and the Boeing Company and culminated with the latest passenger jets and military reconnaissance planes.  Of particular interest was a display on Charlie McAlister Red Baron of Early Aviators.  Charles McAlister hails from Yakima and parents were honored that he was recognized as an aviation pioneer.  Parents left the University of Washington with two feet on the ground but left the Museum of Flight with lofty visions of flying in space.

The trip culminated with a meal at King’s Chinese Buffet in Renton.  New dishes were tried and many were willing to learn how to eat with chopsticks.  Fortunes were shared and parents were pleased with the knowledge and experiences gained on the trip.  For many, the meal was a full learning experience.

There were 27 GEAR-UP and Early Outreach representatives on the tour.  First immigrant Hispanic and Filipino families, second generation Hispanic families, Native American and Caucasian family members made up the diverse group.  Several Spanish Only parents had interpreter equipment as well as bilingual parents and tour guides to translate fro them.

Upon the departure back to Yakima Valley, an informal verbal survey was taken.  The parents were very pleased with the tour of the UW campus and the Museum of Flight; both addressed many parent questions and concerns.  The parents enjoyed being with other parents from other several schools in Yakima Valley.  Based upon their child’s career paths, the parents would like to learn more about courses in oceanography, physics/solar systems, schools of dentistry and the veterinarian courses at Washington State University.  The day was educational, informative and for many, an adventure into new fields of knowledge.