CWI Graduate Receives Award from President Obama

CWI Impact - Lisa's Story

Published: June 2, 2015

A recent graduate from the College of Western Idaho (CWI) is being honored with a national recognition that is a first for Idaho. Nampa resident Lisa Webb, who graduated from CWI’s Drafting Technology program in May, has received the state’s first President’s Volunteer Service Award through SkillsUSA. Webb volunteered more than 500 service hours this past year—making her one of 74 SkillsUSA participants nationally to receive the gold award.

Webb served the majority of her volunteer hours with the Nampa Optimist Football program, while also enrolled as a full-time student at CWI. She served in a number of capacities with the organization, which ranged from fundraising to data entry to on-field assistance during game days. Webb says when she started volunteering with the organization three years ago it was a welcome new adventure.

“I actually lost my job a couple of years ago,” Webb said. “I’m the type of person who has to be doing something. It helped me… and it also helped the kids. I do a lot of it because I get to see these kids who change, so it’s a lot of fun for me.”

Webb completed the rest of her volunteer hours through CWI and local SkillsUSA chapter activities such as Rake Up Nampa and free oil change events for military veterans. She will be honored for her volunteer service at the national SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville, Kentucky, June 22-26.

In addition to receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Webb will also be competing in this year’s event—representing Idaho in the Prepared Speech category. She earned her second trip to compete at nationals after winning first-place at the state SkillsUSA conference earlier this spring.

SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit organization that works to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA has more than 300,000 students and advisors who participate annually. Each year, nearly 6,000 students compete at the national level in 99 occupational and leadership skill areas. CWI has celebrated its share of success participating in SkillsUSA with students capturing nine top-10 finishes at nationals since 2010.  

Watch the video to learn how CWI has impacted Lisa's life.

Contact:
Jennifer Couch                                                

(208) 562-3508                                 
jennifercouch@cwi.edu        

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The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000.         

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