LEWISTON — The Franco-American Education Foundation awarded $34,000 in scholarship funds to high school graduates from the greater Lewiston-Auburn area at its recent awards banquet at The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center.

This sum is in addition to the $154,000 being awarded to college students in their sophomore, junior and senior years.

The 2016 recipients are: Jacob Charest of Saint Dominic Academy; Leah Desjardins, Poland Regional High School; Emily Gosselin, Lewiston High School; Leah Seguin, Saint Dominic Academy; Julia Dellingham, Leavitt Area High School; Anthony DeGone, Leavitt Area High School; Maria D’Auria, Lewiston High School; Jamie Prue, Oak Hill High School; Hannah Fogg, Leavitt Area High School; Michaela Therrien, University of Maine at Presque Isle; Nathaneal Goulette, Leavitt Area High School; Lauren Lecompte, St. Joseph’s College; Jacob Bussiere, Saint Dominic Academy; Dalton Therrien, Oak Hill High School; Colby Nadeau, Leavitt Area High School; and Alexandria Wilson, University of Maine in Orono.

The Foundation was created to provide financial assistance for high school graduates of Franco-American ancestry pursuing higher education at vocational schools, colleges and universities. 

The Foundation is the brainchild of attorney Robert Couturier, who during his lifetime left a legacy of accomplishment to the community and the Franco-American population. It was initially funded by a generous gift from Lucien and Georgianna Martin, former owners of Lewiston Crush Stone. Other benefactors include: Rose Couturier, Albert Cote, Maurice Hemond, and Roland and Teresa Rodrigue.

The Foundation is administered by a board of directors; Susan Lagueux, president; Jeannine Tardif, immediate past president; Monique Couturier, treasurer; Roger Couturier, Rachel Maier, Giselle Couturier and Paul Dionne, clerk.

The Foundation annually awards scholarships to qualifying students based on background and achievement.