The Kansas PRIDE program has honored 11 communities across the state with its Community of Excellence award for their ongoing accomplishments in community development.The Kansas PRIDE program http://www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu/ is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.This year’s recipients include Alton, Ashland, Grinnell, Humboldt, Iola, Lakin, Leonardville, Lenora, Lucas, Potwin and Rossville.The award is given to local PRIDE volunteer groups that continuously work to improve their communities through activities such as determining the community’s needs, establishing goals, creating projects and celebrating successes, said Jaime Menon, program manager with Kansas PRIDE. Volunteers form a local PRIDE organization that works with K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce to accomplish its goals. Community of Excellence award winners are eligible to apply for Partners in PRIDE matching grants of up to $2,000 to fund future community improvements. The Community of Excellence designation is awarded to a community for a set period of three years.“Kansas PRIDE is a volunteer-led organization,” Menon said.