FORT KENT — The TRIO Student Support Services Program at the University of Maine at Fort Kent held its sixth annual recognition banquet on April 17 to honor students involved in the TRIO program.

TRIO Student Support Services is funded through the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs because there were initially three programs. TRIO programs are designed to help low-income, first-generation and/or disabled students, under the guidelines of the American with Disabilities Act, Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life.

The Student Support Services Program’s focus is to insure that their participants have a realistic chance to persist in school and graduate from UMFK. To accomplish these objectives, they provide services to enhance students’ academic success, personal skills and social skills.

The 2014 Student Support Services awards were given to the following local students.

Most Successful Freshman Award: Courtney Bubier of Jay; Honorable Mention: Nasteho Issa of Lewiston and Abdi Hussein of Lewiston.

Most Successful Sophomore Award, Honorable Mention: Kathryn Sharp of Gray.

Most Improved Participant Awards: Habiba Mohamed of Lewiston.

Outstanding Persistence Award: Chelsea Frey of Weld; Travis Stuard of Wilton; Kate Laliberte of Mount Vernon.

The following student was recognized for her exemplary participation in the Student Support Services program, as well as on- and off-campus involvement, has shown skills in leadership, team building, communication, as well as persistence towards her academic goals and success as a student.

Student of the Year Award: Heather Favreau of South Paris. She is a senior nursing student who graduated in May with a bachelor of science degree. She came to UMFK in 2008 and has been active in the TRIO Program. She also is active in its Leadership Group and was a co-leader for its After-school Mentoring Program. She is actively involved in Kappa Rho NAS. Favreau is the 2014 senior class president.

“Heather has clearly demonstrated a commitment to reaching her academic and career goals,” said Lena Michaud, director of the Student Support Services.

The following TRIO students were recognized and presented with their Student Support Services cords to wear at graduation in May: Emily Cassidy of Naples; April Dudley of Otisfield; Heather Favreau of South Paris; Kate Laliberte of Mount Vernon.