The Chilton County Chapter of the University of Alabama National Alumni Association selected Kelcie Knowles as the 2014 recipient of the Judy Melton Mims Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Knowles, 18, is a graduating senior at Chilton County High School and will attend the University of Alabama in the fall, where she plans to major in pre-law and minor in business.

The chapter established the scholarship in 2009 with the help of a significant contribution made by Mims’ husband, Troy Mims.

The scholarship endowment bears Judy’s name as a tribute to her 32 years of service in education and her reputation as a lifelong Alabama fan.

She passed away in September 2008 after a long battle with cancer.

The scholarship is a way to help young people to further their education, which was one of her goals for all of her students.

The recipient each year must be an incoming freshman at UA and a graduate of a Chilton County school.

Troy presented Knowles with a certificate Friday recognizing her as this year’s recipient.

“She’s an outstanding applicant, outstanding student and outstanding person,” Mims said of Knowles. “[She] will represent our chapter and our endowment, and that’s what we want.”

Knowles was one of nearly 30 applicants for this year’s scholarship.

“It’s a great honor,” Knowles said. “I’m extremely excited to be able to represent the memorial this year as a freshman.”

Knowles expressed gratitude toward Mims and the chapter for choosing her.

Knowles is the daughter of Debbie and Shawn Knowles and the late Shannon Beam.