The Suffolk Foundation recently announced the awarding of the $2,000 Col. Fred V. Cherry Scholarship to Gabrielle C. Saunders, a senior at King’s Fork High School.

The scholarship was established to honor Cherry, a Suffolk native and a Vietnam veteran who was captured and held as a prisoner of war.

In making the selection, the distribution committee reviewed the applicants’ academic performance, extracurricular activities, character and recommendations.

“The committee was impressed with Gabrielle’s academic, extra-curricular, co-curricular and service activities,” the foundation stated in a press release. “It was evident Gabrielle is a hard worker as shown by her enrollment in the International Baccalaureate program and ranking in the top 12 percent of her class.”

Saunders has been both a junior varsity and varsity cheerleader, captained the varsity squad for the past three years, and was selected as the Best All-Around Cheerleader in 2012. She is treasurer of the International Club and Fundraising Chairperson for the Student Council Association. She will attend Virginia Commonwealth University next year.