This summer was amazing! I, Monica Estrada, was able to spend my summer in Trinidad Colorado in a program called Math Science Upward Bound (Also known as MSUB). With MSUB I got to experience the college life and travel around the beautiful state of Colorado.
When I left for Trinidad I was scared it was the first time that I was leaving home without my mom. The only reason I felt comfortable going was because my best friend was going. When we arrived to the little picturesque town of Trinidad, the little town gave me a good feeling. As the bus full of anxious teenagers arrived at Trinidad State Junior College we all met with our assigned Residential Advisors. My RA was extremely nice and she helped us up all the way to our dorm room. When I was settled in my dorm I went down to dinner with the other 57 students. I met the people who would be my family for the next five weeks. After dinner the night flew by and later on I was informed that I had been selected to attend the Colorado University Science Discovery camp in Boulder, Colorado.
Eight of us made the three hour journey to Boulder, Colorado. We stayed at the Best Western Plus Boulder Inn. Our first night we ate dinner at Red Robin. It was the first time for many of us. After dinner we all went back to the hotel to swim and relax. The week in Boulder flew by I attended the science camp at CU Boulder. I took a tour of the campus and we also watched a couple movies at local AMC movie theaters. We also went to The Butterfly Pavilion in Denver and I ate at different restaurants such as PF Changs and Chipotles. On my last full day I got to go to Elitch Gardens in Denver and I had a blast with all the new close friends I made.
When the eight of us went back to Trinidad we had to get back on track with the classes MSUB had started at Trinidad State Junior College. We had school from 9 AM to 5 PM. On weekends we went on trips to Monument Lake. It was a scenic lake. We played sports on the campgrounds and a group of students hiked and we got to see the beautiful view of Monument Lake.
Our second trip was to Canon City, Colorado. While in Canon City we went white water rafting it was really fun to see how fifty- eight members of MSUB worked together in a caravan to get to one place. That night we had dinner at Golden Corral and we spent the night in Pueblo, Colorado at the Springhill Suites Marriot. That day I learned how to face my fears and how team work is really important.
Our final big trip was a weeklong trip to Denver, Colorado. In Denver we stayed at the Holiday Inn and spent a couple of afternoons in their fitness room and pool. While in Denver we visited the Federal Reserve and we were able to a bag of shredded money. We also took a tour of the Denver Mint and a tour of the Sports Authority Field at Mile High. We also went to Dave and Busters and I had the most amazing time with friends there.
Denver and the whole five week flew by before I knew it, it was over but I made the most amazing friends, and thanks to social networks I’ll be able to keep in touch with them.
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