Allie Franklin

Allie Franklin, a junior at Hazel Green High School, has been named the first recipient of The Roof Tree Scholarship, a merit award bestowed in memory of childhood cancer victim Eli Williams of Athens. Franklin, 16, was chosen out of a group participating in the “Bloom Where You’re Planted” workshop for high school juniors and seniors held in August.

“We are delighted at the judges’ pick for our first recipient,” said Kristie Williams, The Roof Tree founder and Eli’s mom. “We had such an impressive group of kids to participate, so the fact that Allie stood out for them really speaks to how special she is,” Williams said.

Franklin is the daughter of Kyle and Christie Franklin, Meridianville, Alabama. She intends to attend Freed-Hardeman University upon graduation in 2020 and study education, or psychology, or nursing. Hazel Green Principal Darrell Long describes Franklin as a positive leader respected and popular with faculty and students. The Roof Tree is proud to recognize Franklin as one whose character and lifestyle reflect the values and beliefs of Eli.