Story by Zoebelle Bean, News Columnist
Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Special Services, otherwise known as TRIO Student Support Services, led a trip to Traverse City for student leadership this weekend, from Friday, February 23rd to Sunday, February 25th. The weekend-long trip was hosted to bring together TRIO SSS groups from around the Michigan area to talk about resources and advantage opportunities and celebrate leadership.
Funded by the United States Department of Education, TRIO SSS offers services to low-income, first generation, and disabled students. The goal of the organization is to allow students with these qualifications the best possible higher education experience and give them the resources they need to succeed, from writing services, to financial aid, to events that allow the opportunity to connect and network with other students in similar situations.
MICAPP, the organization hosting the leadership summit, stands for Michigan College Access Program Personnel, and their mission is to, “bring together persons who have an active interest in and/or are professionally involved in broadening accessibility to and providing support for success in formal, post-secondary education.”
It is one of eight chapters in the Educational Opportunity Association, which is the regional chapter of the Council for Opportunity in Education.
Hosted at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, the Student Leadership Summit featured workshops, guest speakers, a scholarship banquet, and a College, Career, and STEM fair to empower and connect with hundreds of TRIO students across the state of Michigan.
Aquinas’ TRIO SSS had the opportunity to take eight Super Star Saints to the summit, and they made sure AQ was well represented. Maegan McGuire, Miguel Mar-Pulido, and Annah Stang were honored at the Educational Foundation Banquet at the Summit for receiving scholarships through TRIO SSS; Justin Davis and Nachaela Trice presented a workshop titled, “Sipping the College Tea” to high school students; and Elisabeth Forsyth and Carson LePage served as ambassadors at the Summit.
According to Yesenia Bernal-Alcala, “As an AQ alum who was a part of the TRIO SSS program, it’s truly an honor to see students who are first-generation, come from a low-income family, or have a disability take advantage of these opportunities to grow personally and professionally.”
The Saint 