CASTINE – Midshipman Kyle Dupuis of Lewiston recently received a cash award at a ceremony at Maine Maritime Academy in recognition of his superior performance in the college’s cadet shipping program. Dupuis received the highest overall evaluation of students participating in his academic program.

According to Richard G. Youcis, director of career services and cooperative education, students were selected for the honor based on outstanding performance during their cadet shipping assignments. They presented superior summary projects and received outstanding evaluations from professional seafaring officers.

Students pursuing an officers license from the U.S. Coast Guard as a third mate or third assistant engineer are required to train at sea in each of their first three years at the college. Freshmen and juniors sail aboard the MMA vessel, while sophomores are assigned to merchant ships worldwide through the college’s cadet shipping program.

Dupuis, a member of the Class of 2009, is a graduate of Lewiston High School. A marine transportation operations major, he completed his cadet shipping assignment aboard the USNS Lewis and Clark, operated by Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C.