Students, faculty and members of the community all gathered on Wednesday, April 23, in the North Dining Hall of the Olsen Student Center for a banquet and ceremony recognizing outstanding members of UMF’s student organizations. Student leaders were recognized for their efforts with their respective clubs and organizations. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington held its annual student leadership banquet in the North Dining Hall of Olsen Student Center on Wednesday, April 24, recognizing the outstanding members of UMF’s student clubs and organizations.

The event offered food catered by Sodexo and presented honors to students involved in the numerous clubs and organizations on the campus, including the Jill Schwab Award, Theo Kalikow Award, Dr. John H. Rohman Leadership Scholarship, and the 51st annual Michael Winston award.

Junior Dani Faltraco won the Dr. John Roman Leadership Scholarship; The Jill Schwab Underclassman Award was awarded to freshmen Katie Lipoma; The Theo Kalikow Award was awarded to Stephen Grandchamp, UMF’s Assistant Professor of Literature and Digital Humanities; and the 51st Annual Michael Winston Award was awarded to senior Isaiah Day.

The award recipients from UMF’s annual student leadership banquet on Wednesday, April 23. From left to right, The Jill Schwab Underclassman Award winner Katie Lipoma; The 51st Annual Michael Winston Award was awarded to senior Isaiah Day; and The Theo Kalikow Award Winner Stephen Grandchamp, UMF’s Assistant Professor of Literature and Digital Humanities. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

The banquet also invited Commander Stephan Bunker of Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post 28 to present honors to two students, Air Force Veteran Bailey Randle and Navy Veteran Tom Tubman, for their military service.

“Veterans are leaders just from entering the call by raising their hand, and vowing to protect and serve their community,” Bunker stated. He also thanked UMF President Joseph McDonnell in setting a “new tone” of welcoming veterans unto the campus.

“When I first got out of active duty,” Bunker said, “veterans were not well liked. We were spit upon when we came home from the Vietnam War.”

Sen. Russell Black, Rep. H. Scott Landry Jr., and Scott Dresser of Congressman Jared Golden’s office made an appearance to share some words for the two veterans.

“When I graduated 54 years ago from what was then Farmington State College,” Landry stated, “I never thought that I would be here, looking at all you young [people] and speaking to you on leadership. You guys are our future, and I’m just so proud to be here, and especially to honor Tom and Bailey as veterans who took advantage of what they could and came here to get an education to graduate.”

Commander Stephen Bunker, left, of Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post 28 honors Bailey Randle, center, and Tom Tubman, right, for their military service. Bailey served in the Air Force while Tubman served in the Navy. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

Dresser read excerpts from a letter Golden had written for Randle and Tubman, stating “As someone who’s also served in the armed forces and faced those challenges of returning to civilian academic life, I understand the resilience and perseverance required to succeed in both worlds.

“The classwork and education have been important,” he continued, “but it’s life education, searching, persevering, and the sacrificing that you’ve done before, and during, your time here at UMF that will set you up for success after graduation. I encourage you to continue embracing new challenges with the same courage and vigor you’ve shown so far.

“On behalf of the people of Maine’s second congressional district,” he concluded, “Thank you for your service to our armed forces, and congratulations once again on your well-deserved recognition and graduation.”

The following students were recognized for their efforts within their respective clubs and organizations with the Above and Beyond award.

• Isaiah Day and Paige Lusczyk [Rotaract].

• Miranda Shelley and Alex Sapphire [ACE].

• Pyam Mooren and Erin Cropper [Deep Treble].

• Jordan Banakos and Atlas McCormack [Multicultural].

• Aidan Lucas and Eva Tebbutt [STUMF].

• Emmet Lani-Caputo and Audrey McEnaney [Ultimate Disc].

• Manu Ritchie and Sammy Dupuis [Film Club].

• Abbey Landry and Jo Korasadowicz [Women’s Rugby].

• Genevieve Feeney and Cassie Libby [Dance Team].

• Autumn Koors-Foltz and Katherine Berube [Writer’s Guild].

• Kelly Halloran and Autumn Koors-Foltz [WUMF].

• Tristan Mitchell and Gwen Lombard [Senate].

• Trinity L. Slate and Sadie M. Rezin [UMF Democrats].

• Samantha Amison [Swim].

• Rain Smith and Alice Staples [QSU].

• Rain Smith and Dani Faltraco [Equestrian].

• Tristan Mitchell and Britney Pingree [Beaver Success].