HOUSTON - The PACE Foundation recently announced that Wynesther Cousins was awarded the $1,000 PACE Teacher Scholarship for 2009/2010. Mrs. Cousins is a 7th grade teacher at Houston Middle School. She is presently enrolled in graduate school at the University of Mississippi, and was very active in the Boys and Girls Club this past school year. She intends to complete a course in Education Leadership and hopes to move into administration.

This is the fourth year the PACE Foundation has been presenting scholarships to local teachers. Hope Stantz, Executive Director of PACE, says the foundation realizes the importance of education. "Education is a key to community development, which is a main focus of PACE. Teachers work hard with often little recognition. PACE supports their efforts in getting our children to where they need to be. Not only for today, but for the future."

Over $6,000 has been awarded to local teachers through the PACE Teacher Scholarship program. Past winners include Barbara McCullough, Leigh Anne Kimbrough, Sharon Vance, Teresa Moore, Debbie Harmon, and Sue Shirley.