Fort Kent - The University of Maine at Fort Kent Alumni Association will honor a long-time Aroostook County educator and leading advocate of St. John Valley Acadian Culture preservation efforts at their annual alumni banquet on Saturday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Nowland Hall. 
 Ann Roy of Van Buren, a 1964 graduate of Fort Kent State Teachers College, a forerunner of UMFK, will be honored by fellow alumni and guests at the gala event. 
 Roy has spent nearly four decades in the classroom teaching young children in the region, the last 32 years in schools at Loring and Limestone. In that system, she has been active in the Limestone Education Association as a member of the contract negotiation team and the organization's treasurer. She has also been an active member of the Parent Teacher Association. 
 The long-time educator is perhaps best known for her tireless work as director of the Acadian Village in Van Buren and as president of the historical society L'Heritage Vivant, which serves as the governing body for the historic site, one of the largest in Maine. 
 The Acadian Village project began in 1973, opened in 1976 with four houses, and was established as a non-profit entity that same year. Today, the site boasts 17 buildings, 16 houses furnished with period furniture and an art museum that houses local artist's collections. 
 Since 1982, Roy has spent countless hours throughout the years, especially during the summer months, as director of the popular model of early Acadian life in the St. John River Valley. In addition to overseeing the entire operation of the village, she was instrumental in the planning and development of the on-site art museum, can often be found preparing and serving meals at the village reception hall, and is now heavily involved in planning a major revitalization effort for the historic site. 
 In addition to her leadership role with the Acadian Village, Roy additionally advocates for the preservation and promotion of the local culture through her involvement with the Maine Acadian Heritage Council. She has served on the executive board of the council as secretary for three years and this year as treasurer. 
 Roy's involvement in the community includes her service of ten years as a director, secretary, and now vice president of the Greater Van Buren Chamber of Commerce. She is also an active member of the Van Buren Ladies Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella, Friends of the Library for the Abel Morneault Memorial Library, and chairs a mercy meal committee at St. Bruno-St. Remi Parish in Van Buren. 
 "Anne Roy is a great example of a UMFK alumni who has made a great difference in the her native St. John Valley. She has not only been instrumental in shaping the lives of generations of young children in her classroom, but has been a beacon of light when it comes to Acadian Culture preservation efforts throughout the Valley," said Jason Parent, director of university relations and alumni affairs at UMFK and president of the Maine Acadian Heritage Council. 
 Anne Roy is married to Ronald Roy. The couple has a grown daughter, Kelly-Sue Pitre, who has followed in her mother's footsteps and is a kindergarten teacher in the SAD 24 school district in Van Buren. When not busy teaching, running the Acadian Village or volunteering her time in the community, Anne enjoys spending time with her young grandchildren. 
 She enjoys riding ATV with her husband, and is an avid player of Canasta. 
 "I am surprised and humbled by this honor. I have never seen what I do as anything extraordinary that deserves this kind of attention," said Roy upon hearing news that she was selected to receive the Outstanding Alumni Award. 
 Roy will be honored during the September 22 banquet, which will begin at 6:00 p.m., following a social at the UMFK president's residence. An Acadian buffet meal is planned.