Students in the Emporia TRIO Upward Bound program were given the opportunity to share their personal stories with US Senator Jerry Moran Wednesday.
Senator Moran stopped by the Emporia State University campus while in Emporia and was given an up-close look at how federal grant funding is helping local students better their lives. The visit comes after TRIO recently had its federal grant funding renewed totaling $1.5 million over the next five years.
Moran says having the opportunity to hear from TRIO students was an inspirational moment for him.
Local student Nikki Enriquez was one of the students who spoke Wednesday. Enriquez is heading into her senior year of high school and on top of attending school and the TRIO program is working a full-time factory job.
Enriquez says the TRIO program means a great deal to her and she knows the work she is putting in will pay off in the future.
TRIO Director Kristi Bolen says the visit is a great opportunity for Senator Moran to truly see the impacts the government’s investment is having on local students.
For more information on TRIO or the Upward Bound program visit Emporia.edu.
