By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

NEARLY a hundred people from the community, including faculty and students of Northern Marianas College, joined the celebration of “Trio Day” on Friday at NMC.
The day honors three federally funded programs offered by the college — Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Student Services.
Upward Bound was established in 1983 under the University of Guam and became operative full-time under NMC in 1990.
It provides information on postsecondary education opportunities, academic counseling, personal counseling, tutoring and workshops in career options.
According to Jane Tudela, NMC’s Upward Bound guidance specialist, the program serves 120 clients and is provided $476,000 every year. Its clients are mostly seniors in high school.
Among the three programs, Education Talent Search has the most clients, about 600.
“Its goal is to help students from 11 to 27 years old to get college,” said Debbie Diaz, the program’s director.
She said the program receives annual funding of $290,000 from the U.S. Department of Education.
“We provide educational guidance to middle and high school students who have the potential to succeed in high school and proceed to college or vocational/technical school,” she added.
Student Support Services serves 160 students.
The program was established in the fall of 1993 and offers support services to students of low-income families, first generation college students, or students with disabilities.
It also provides “individual assessment and guidance with directed use of developmental resources, academic and career counseling as well as assistance in applying for financial aid and workshops on study skills.”