Upward Bound

From an instructor at the Upward Bound program for promising high school students, attended by Dennis at Bowdoin College during the summers of 1974 and 1975: “Mouse [his high school nickname] went on The Apprentice Shop trip, and worked fairly well although he also complained a fair amount. While working, though, he opened up and talked a lot about himself, his home, and school, and showed himself to be very bright and aware of himself and his situation.” (excerpted from the book Human Sacrifice, p. 83)

From a French teacher: “Dennis is able to produce good work, often after some slight encouragements. He has a nice and open personality, sensitive to the others, and often willing to help.” (Human Sacrifice, p. 83)

From Director of the Upward Program: “I, for one, saw an immense improvement in Dennis’ general maturity. Over and over again, in a whole variety of situations, I saw Dennis’ honesty and good judgment replacing the rather immature, self-centered, sometimes whining attitude that he seemed to have on occasion last summer.” (Human Sacrifice, p. 83)

From the staff psychologist at Upward Bound: “Dennis presented himself as an affable, friendly young man who was generally quiet, but he definitely came across as a ‘nice kid.’ He worked consistently under the direction of the examiner and showed very logical problem solving skills in most of the tasks which he undertook. He obtained a full scale score, which places him in the 80th percentile, the Bright Normal range of intelligence.” (Human Sacrifice, p. 83-84)