Thanks to their commitments to volunteering, 24 Basin residents have received a $2,000 CBT Service Award to pursue post-secondary education or training through the 2011 College Community Service Awards (CCSA), including Melissa Monsen from Cranbrook.

The awards are available to Basin residents who have taken a hiatus of at least one year after completing high school and wish to continue their education. Unlike many awards, they are based on volunteer service, not academic achievement.

"Through these awards, mature students get financial help to return to school, and get rewarded for their efforts as volunteers," said Wayne Lundeberg, director, Youth Initiatives, CBT. "This creates stronger Basin communities: the organizations they volunteer for are stronger, and the students get to pursue higher education while staying in the Basin."

"I am very grateful to receive this award from Columbia Basin Trust. I am a single mother of two, and a full-time nursing student. The award is a great help to my family, and is very much appreciated," said Melissa Monsen, nursing student at College of the Rockies.

Awards this year went to students at both Selkirk College and College of the Rockies. Awards were also given to Cranbrook residents Shanda Fulcher, Jason Pogue and Tanya Molle. A list of all recipients can be found at www.cbt.org.