By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Lacee Wallace of Maplesville has been awarded a scholarship for $750 from the Alabama Grocers Education Foundation.

Wallace has worked at Maplesville Supermarket for almost two years, which made her eligible to apply for the scholarship.

This year Alabama Grocers Education Foundation awarded more than $57,000 in scholarships. These scholarships are available to employees or children of employees of companies that are a part of the Alabama Grocers Association

“I was ecstatic when I first learned I had been awarded the scholarship,” Wallace said.

She said she was “so thankful to work for a company and association that encourages me to pursue my education.”

Wallace will be a junior this fall at the University of Montevallo. She will be majoring in Elementary and Special Education.

She is a 2016 graduate of Maplesville High School.

“Our association members and other supporters of the Alabama Grocers Association make these scholarships possible,” said Bob Crawford, Chairman of the AGEF Board of Trustees, in a press release. “The scholarships truly impact young students’ lives for the better.”

The scholarship guidelines focus on community involvement and academic achievements. Recipients are selected by an “impartial committee of educators,” according to an Alabama Grocers Education Foundation press release.

“The Alabama Grocers Foundation has been able to award more than $1.2 million in scholarships to date,” said Ellie Smotherman Taylor, President, Alabama Grocers Association. “The members of our association are excited to be supporting higher education efforts of Alabama’s students.”

More than 145 applications were received for the scholarship program this year.