Twenty-one graduates earn scholarships

Staff

Published Thursday, May 29, 2003

The Suffolk Education Foundation announces the recipients of its 2003 college scholarships. This year, the SEF awarded $18,500 to help 21 local high school graduates continue their education. Since 1993, the SEF has committed $110,500 in college scholarships for local high school students.

The two recipients of the second annual Jean and Harry L. Cross Jr. Endowment Scholarship are Terri Daughtry of Nansemond River High School and Phillips Saunders Jr. of Lakeland High School. Daughtry plans to study biology at Hampton University to prepare for a career in physical therapy. Saunders plans to study history at Virginia Military Institute and is planning a career as a historian or a history teacher.

The Cross family established this scholarship to honor their father, who was a well-known Suffolk realtor who served on the School Board. The Cross Scholarship awards $1,000 to each student.

The two recipients of the fifth annual Helen and Ned Ferguson Endowment Scholarship are Gregory Sexton of Nansemond River High School and Mercedes Holland of Lakeland High School. Sexton plans to attend The College of William and Mary to pursue a career as a physician. Holland plans to study environmental science, working toward a career as an environmental lawyer. The Ferguson Scholarship awards $1,000 to each student.

Several years ago, the Suffolk Education Foundation established two named scholarships to honor local educators - Joseph Barlow, a longtime member of the Suffolk School Board, and Elgin Lowe, a longtime educator who researched and published several books on historic black schools.

This year, the $500 award of the Elgin Lowe Endowment Scholarship will be given to Ashley Stewart of Nansemond River High School, who will plans a career in business and will attend Old Dominion University.

The $500 award of the Joseph Barlow Endowment Scholarship will be given to Ashley Phillips of Lakeland High School, who plans on a career as a television broadcaster, after majoring in communications and public relations at James Madison University.

Several years ago, Laura Morris, a faculty member at Lakeland High School passed away after fighting cancer. The family of this well-loved mathematics teacher established the Laura Lee Owens Morris Memorial Scholarship.

This year's $500 scholarship was awarded to Laura Harris, who plans to study marketing and business at Virginia Tech, working toward a sales career in pharmaceuticals.

The 2003 Lakeland Faculty Memorial Scholarships awarded $500 each to Shawanda Darden and Erika Dobbins.

Darden plans to study computer science at North Carolina A&T University, working toward a career as a technical engineer.

Dobbins plans to study exercise science / health & physical education at Virginia Commonwealth University, working toward a career as a pediatric physical therapist.

Other $1,000 scholarship recipients from Lakeland High School are Rachel Bradshaw, who plans to pursue a career in choreography and has been accepted at Virginia Commonwealth University; Christina Harris, who plans on a career in marketing and public relations and will be attending Old Dominion University; Victoria Monds, who will attend Salem International University and hopes to become a genetic counselor after earning a degree in biology; Shanti Reid, who plans on attending Spelman College to prepare for a career in computer engineering; and Benjamin Stancill, who will attend George Mason University in the fall. He plans to become a professional sports agent after majoring in business management.

Laura Decker of Lakeland High School received the Suffolk Education Foundation's Physical Therapy Works Excellence Scholarship. She will attend George Mason University to pursue a career in communications or law.

Other $1,000 scholarship recipients from Nansemond River High School are Elgin Copeland III, who will pursue a career in accounting and still has to decide between Norfolk State University and North Carolina A &T;

Alfred Gamble Jr., who plans a career in business, and will attend Virginia Tech; Paul Henderson, who will pursue a career in education, majoring in history and political science at Virginia Commonwealth University; Jennifer Jiggetts, who plans a career in journalism, and will attend Norfolk State University; and Andrea Skeeter, who will pursue a career in law, and will attend Mary Baldwin College.

John Seeley will receive the Suffolk Education Foundation's Electronic Systems General Excellence Scholarship. He plans to pursue a career in biology and will attend The College of William and Mary.

Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship funds of the Suffolk Education Foundation can send their tax-deductible donation to P.O. Box 394, Suffolk Va. 23439-0394.

Please note to which fund your contribution should be credited. General donations are also accepted to help the SEF in its other programs, including teacher mini-grants, Teacher of the Year recognition, and tuition assistance for high school students taking dual-credit college courses.

Call Tim Copeland, executive director, at 539-1265 for more information.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---