The Southeast Education Foundation recognized outstanding student achievement by handing out $9,925 in scholarships to 13 students who are enrolled in full-time programs at the Southeast Regional College's Estevan campus.

The presentations occurred February 6 at the Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute in Estevan.

“This is a definite advantage for those attending a regional college versus a larger institution,” said SRC marketing manager Dave Harazny. “Because of our smaller classroom sizes and strong donor and community support, students have a greater chance to benefit from additional funding. This makes education more accessible, careers more attainable, and fosters community growth.”

This year's recipients were:

*Braydon Krahn received a vocational-technical entrance scholarship worth $750.

*Michelle Keating received a vocational-technical entrance scholarship worth $750.

*Robyn Keyes received the Cogent Business Consulting schoarlship for $875.

*Dara McLennan received a Government of Saskatchewan scholarship for $1,750.

*Randy Ball received a Southeast Regional College Governor's Bursary for $350.

*Crystal Horrocks received a Nexan's Canada Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship for $1,000.

*Dylan Mack received a Swing for Scholarships scholarship for $1,000.

*Jesse Kenler received two scholarships: a Swing for Scholarships bursary for $1,000; and an Enbridge Pipelines scholarship for $500.

*Enbridge handed out two other $500 scholarships: one to Jessica Saxon and the other to Christa Kerwin.

*Maeghan Trail received a Weyburn Credit Union Q.O. "Quint" Patrick scholarship for $750.

*Andrea McClellan received the Quota International of Estevan Scholarship, which is worth $200.

*Debora Beaudry won a basic education bursary for $200.

Krahn, Mack and Kenler are in power engineering. Keating, Keyes, McLennan, Horrocks, Trail, McLelland, Saxon and Kerwin are enrolled in office education. Beaudry and Ball are basic education students.

Many of the bursaries were presented through the new Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship program, initiated by the Ministry of Advanced Education. Through this program, all monies donated for scholarships by private sector and community-based partners are matched by the provincial government. More than $5,800 that was awarded February 6 was contributed through the Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship program.