Senior students from East Central University’s Upward Bound Program pause in the state Capitol during TRIO Day. TRIO is a family of federal grant programs dedicated to helping students who meet certain income guidelines or would be first-generation college students to achieve their dream of obtaining a college education. TRIO students from across Oklahoma heard elected officials talk about the importance of earning a college degree. They also had the opportunity to write a personal letter to soldiers deployed overseas. Senior students in ECU’s program in Ada are Lynsey Loudermilk (sitting) of Coalgate and (front row, from left) Chesna Henry, Tupelo; Desi Cagle, Censi Martin and Kalandra Gaylor, all of Coalgate; Stephanie Stiles Bish, Crowder; Timber Hefley and Shelby Talley, Coalgate; Tiarra Harper, Pauls Valley; and (back row) Miami Allen, Wynnewood; Joe Dragoo, Wayne; D.J. Goodrich IV, Wynnewood; and Leah Ools, Crowder.