The Suffolk Foundation recently announced winners of three scholarships it administers.

Destanie Fonoimoana is the winner of both the Howard D. Mast Memorial Scholarship and the Col. Fred V. Cherry Scholarship. Fonoimoana, a recent King’s Fork High School graduate, resides in Suffolk with her mother, Tiffany Booth.

In making the selection, the committees reviewed the applicants’ financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities, character and recommendations.

The selection committees were especially impressed with Fonoimoana’s ability to participate in numerous school activities, particularly varsity tennis, golf and swimming, and be able to maintain exceptional academic success, according to a press release from the foundation.

Her leadership skills were evident in being selected as captain of both the swim and tennis teams.

She was able to balance her extremely challenging course of studies, participate in athletic activities, receive recognition as the most outstanding student in chemistry, geometry and algebraic functions and data.

Fonoimoana has been involved as a volunteer both in the community and her church. She attends East End Baptist Church, where she is an active member and officer of the Vision Youth Choir and Youth Usher’s Ministry.

In one of Fonoimoana’s letters of reference, based on her many outstanding characteristics, the teacher stated that she had no other choice but to refer to her as “phenomenal.”

It was obvious to the scholarship committees Fonoimoana is a firm believer in the philosophy that nothing worthwhile can be gained without dedication and hard work, a philosophy that was exhibited by both Col. Fred V. Cherry and Mr. Howard D. Mast. The committees felt Fonoimoana demonstrates this philosophical attribute in everything she undertakes.

Fonoimoana plans to attend Old Dominion University. The scholarship awards will be sent directly to Old Dominion University.

The Mast Scholarship honors Howard D. Mast, who served the city of Suffolk as its Parks and Recreation director from 1949 until 1966. He was known throughout the Mid-Atlantic region as “Mr. Tennis.” He served as mentor, teacher, coach, and friend to countless citizens, young and old, in the city of Suffolk and beyond.

The Colonel Fred V. Cherry Scholarship was established to honor this highly decorated Vietnam prisoner of war, who was born and educated in Suffolk.

The Suffolk Foundation also announced Erin Elizabeth Whitley, a King’s Fork High School graduate, is the recipient of the $1,000 Lewis F. Morris Memorial Scholarship.

Erin resides in Suffolk with her parents, Lisa and Bradley Whitley.

In making the selection, the scholarship committee was impressed by Erin’s ability to maintain a 4.05 grade point average and receive academic award letters her entire high school career. The committee realized that Whitley has outstanding leadership skills and is well organized. Her organizational skills were evident in reading about her ability to juggle numerous school activities, work a part-time job and be involved in various volunteer programs both in and out of school.

Whitley was able to balance her extremely challenging course of studies, was recognized most outstanding student in probability and statistics and made honor roll every nine weeks all four years of high school. Outside of school, some of her activities included vacation Bible school leader, church nursery assistant, Salvation Army food server, helper at the Chuckatuck Fire Department fish fry, assisted in writing/typing the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Foundation book, SYAA concession stand server and stocker at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

The committee felt Whitley was a deserving recipient who demonstrated qualities Lewis Morris would have expected of any student receiving a scholarship honoring his memory, according to a press release from the foundation.

Whitley plans to attend Longwood University, where she plans to pursue a career as a teacher. The scholarship award will be sent directly to Longwood University.

Morris was a well-respected teacher, coach and principal of Chuckatuck School from 1952 to 1965. A leader, friend and motivator, he led by example and was loved and respected by all who knew him.