By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

An Alabaster native and a Chelsea native, both of who are now students at the University of Montevallo, recently received some financial help after winning Alabama Farmers Federation Foundation scholarships.

Alabaster resident Hallie Hooten, a graduate of Hope Christian School in Pelham, and John Janssen, a graduate of Chelsea High School took home $1,000 scholarships apiece after they were chosen as winners in the Alfa program’s second year.

The Alfa Foundation, which has operated Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Month programs in Alabama for many years, chose scholarship recipients based on “academic record, participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience and future goals,” according to the Foundation.

“In our household, we know the impact of rising tuition costs, as our son recently graduated college and our daughter will be a college freshman this fall,” Jimmy Parnell, president of Alfa Insurance, wrote in a statement. “We hope our gift will make it easier for the recipients to focus on studies and gaining professional experience, rather than worrying about paying for their education.”

Hooten and Janssen were among 100 students chosen to receive the scholarships out of more than 1,300 applicants from across the state. The scholarship contest was open to high school seniors and post-secondary undergraduates who are enrolled or are planning to enroll in Alabama two- or four-year colleges, universities or technical schools.

The students can use the scholarship money for tuition, fees, books and supplies required for their coursework.