Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Clark

The McNeese State University First Year Experience (FYE) program honored top participants with end-of-year awards and scholarships during a banquet Friday to conclude the 2025-26 academic year.

The FYE program and its Scholarship Purpose Unity Resilience (SPUR) Mentorship Program were launched during the 2025-26 academic year to help ease the college transition for the a freshman class. To celebrate the program’s inaugural success, FYE recognized its standout mentors and mentees.

Andy Cantu was named the 2025-26 Mentor of the Year, while Michael Kingrey earned the title of Most Dedicated Mentee.

The program awarded SPUR Scholarships to eight students. Ben Barnes, Emma Menard, Victor Nwoye and Zoey Rhodes each received $500. West Gibson and Asia Ransom received $400, while Joseph Jarroy-Dellosa and Presslie Sedtal received $350.

Several mentors were recognized for their specific contributions to the program. Sophia Cooley and Semilore Bashorun received the Outstanding Student Impact award, while Emmah Fontenot and Ademy Arilesere received the Relationship & Engagement award.

The organization also honored its seven graduating senior mentors: Ademisola Arilesere, Bashorun, Nathan Blanchard, Kikelomo Folarin, Joanna Kaluturi, Sage St. Julien and Jaspin Vaughn.

Additionally, 15 students were recognized as Mentees of the Year. The winning mentees and their respective mentors include:

• Ben Barnes (Mentor: Eden Byran)
• Daniel Botello Gonzalez (Mentor: Semilore Bashorun)
• Aaliyah Dawson (Mentor: Joanna Kaluturi)
• Seimone Freeman (Mentor: Andy Cantu)
• West Gibson (Mentor: Emmah Meaut)
• Chelsie Gremillion (Mentor: Haleigh Fruge)
• Joanna Gutierrez (Mentor: Andrew Dalton)
• Tya Livas (Mentor: Sage St. Julien)
• Annabelle Loupe (Mentor: Sophia Snider)
• Emma Menard (Mentor: Jaspin Vaughn)
• Victor Nwoye (Mentor: Ademy Arilesere)
• Liane Padong (Mentor: Nathan Blanchard)
• Isabella Punchard (Mentor: Kikelomo Folarin)
• Presslie Sedtal (Mentor: Bashirat Adekanmbi)
• Cariona Ward (Mentor: Meredith Midkiff)