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RIDGEWAY— Virginia Lacy has been selected as the 2012 Citizen of the Year for the Town of Ridgeway.

The retired educator has a passion for her community. During her 31 years as an educator she served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal and principal.

When asked how it felt to be named citizen of the year Lacy said, “I am overwhelmed, surprised, and grateful by this recognition. My entire family loves Ridgeway and feels it is an amazing, caring, warm community.”

Lacy is all too familiar with small towns although she taught and worked in parts of Georgia and Columbia, she grow up in Bishopville.

Lacy shared a little about her childhood saying, “When growing up in Bishopville my parents were always involved in our church and in the community. It was nature in our small town for my brothers and I to have our life revolve around school, local sports, scouts, and of course our church.”

This love for community has continued in her life in Ridgeway, and many can see her out picking up trash along the side walks or road showing just how much she care about her town.

For those who share in the love for art and have journeyed to Ridgeway for Arts on the Ridge they most likely have seen Lacy around as she has served as the committee chair for the Historical Cultural Committee for the last six years.

Over the course of her time as chair she has seen this event expand to include more and more artist each year. Lacy has been married for 21 years and have three sons and seven grandchildren.

She is a member of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, and former elder of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church.

Lacy feels no life is complete without serving others and having a great appreciation for the arts.