Since 2014 the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded students from across the state with funds to help them further their education. This year, Erica Cantrell from Vina is a recipient of one of these scholarships.

Cantrell is one out of 100 students who have received this scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year starting in August. The scholarship money may be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies.

“The cost of higher education seems to increase every year, which can make it tough for students to achieve the goal of earning a degree,” said Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “I’m glad we can award 100 scholarships to these hard-working students to help them pursue their dreams.”

Cantrell is a sophomore at the University of North Alabama, studying business management with a concentration in human resources.

“My mother works in human resources, and I realized through her that it is something I would like to do,” Cantrell said.

Cantrell is a part of the Honors College at UNA, which requires her to maintain a high grade point average, be enrolled full time, take a certain number of honors level classes and attend Honors College events. In the fall she will start participating in volunteer service hours, which she has experience with thanks to her involvement in the Franklin County Junior Leadership Program in high school.

“I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It brought me out of my shell,” she said.

After college Cantrell said she plans on staying local during her job search in human resource management.