Suffolk News-Herald

Benee Durham is the recent recipient of the annual $500 scholarship awarded by the Smart Set Club.

Durham, a 2003 honor graduate of I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, is a freshman at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida majoring in aerospace engineering.

She has been presented several awards for community service and is a member of the Chesapeake NAACP. She is also a member of Zion Bethel United Church of Christ where she is a member of the Sunday School, Children’s Choir and Children’s Usher Board.

Durham is the daughter of Bessie Durham and the late Bennett Durham Sr.

The Smart Set Club has been working to support worthwhile community efforts since 1959. Martha Polson and Beatrice Reeves, original members, are both still active. The club has supported the Salvation Army, Alzheimer’s Research, Cancer Fund, Heart Fund and many other endeavors. The awarding of a yearly scholarship to deserving students continues to be one of the club’s primary objectives. The Scholarship Banquet is held annually in March. Barbara Turner is president of the 16-member organization.

Members are Susie Bennett, Fannie Bowers, Maude Click, Gloria Colbert, Olivia Crawley, Gail Hinton-Copeland, Edith Edmonds, Mabel Lassiter, Faye Ledbetter, Martha Polson, Catherine Randolph, Dolores Rawles, Beatrice Reeves, Barbara Turner, Theresa Williams, and Emma Willie.