Taunton’s Mechanics Cooperative Bank has awarded Kelsey Kerkhoff, Jake DeSousa and Amanda Quigley scholarships through its 2011 program.

The Mechanics Cooperative Bank scholarships were created to support local students who excelled in both academics and community service, toward their pursuit for higher education, according to a statement.

Kerkhoff, of Taunton, graduated from Taunton High School in the top 4 percent of her class and was a member of the National Honors Society. In addition to her passion for dance and community service, she was also a peer mediator, active participant in Student Council and president of the Latin Club. She will be working towards a degree in pharmacy this fall at Northeastern University.

DeSousa, of Berkley, graduated from Somerset High School with National Honors Society distinction. He was president of the National Honors Society as well as an active member and leader of Student Council, Executive Board and Key Club. He will be attending Tufts University this fall as a pre-med student.

Quigley, a recent honor roll graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, was involved in community fundraising and volunteering with her local religious education center. She will be studying business management this fall as she enters her first year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

"Mechanics Cooperative Bank is proud to offer these 2011 scholarships to such amazing young adults," said President and CEO Joseph T. Baptista Jr. "Not only are they outstanding students, they also have a strong commitment to community service, which is something Mechanics takes pride in."