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The Suffolk Education Foundation is pleased to continue its support of Suffolk Public Schools’ students by offering scholarships totaling $23,500 to the graduating class of 2021. Since 1993, the Foundation has committed close to $400,000 in college scholarships for local high school students.

Applications can be found online at: www.suffolkeducationfoundation.org/scholarships. The deadline is April 23, 2021.

Scholarships available for the Class of 2021 include:

Milton R. Liverman Memorial Scholarship: Mrs. Shirley Liverman established this $1,500 scholarship in 2020 to honor her husband, Dr. Liverman. Dr. Liverman served Suffolk Public Schools for 36 years, including 10 years as its superintendent. Dr. Liverman was committed to helping young people make a difference in their community and achieve their potential. One nonrenewable scholarship of $1,500 is awarded city-wide.

Ned and Helen Ferguson Family Scholarship: Applicants must be graduating seniors at a Suffolk public high school. One nonrenewable scholarship of $1,500 is awarded to a student from each high school. Awards are based on academic standing and financial need.

Harry Lee and Jean Ritchie Cross Family Scholarship: Applicants must be graduating seniors at a Suffolk public high school. Harry Lee Cross Jr. was chairman of the School Board, and Jean Cross taught in Suffolk Public Schools. One nonrenewable scholarship of $1,500 is awarded to a student from each high school. Awards are based on academic standing and financial need.

Gertrude Pruden Family Arts Scholarship: Applicants must be graduating seniors at a Suffolk public high school and entering the arts field. One nonrenewable scholarship of $1,500 is awarded city-wide. Awards are based on academic standing and financial need. Must provide your field of study.

G. Blair Harry Memorial Scholarship: Applicants must be graduating seniors at a Suffolk public high school and intending to play college sports. Two nonrenewable scholarships of $1,500 are awarded from applications from all three high schools. Award is based on academic standing and financial need. Students who receive an athletic scholarship from a college or university are not eligible for this award. Must plan to play a sport in college.

Future Educator Scholarship: Applicant must be a graduating senior who plans a career as a future educator. One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at each of the three high schools. The Wilburn Wilson Future Educator Scholarship will be awarded at Lakeland High School.

Ellis E. Temple Memorial Scholarship: Applicant must be a graduating senior from Lakeland High School planning to attend a four-year or two-year college. Applicant must have a “B” average grade point average, have participated in at least one varsity sport for more than one year and demonstrate passion for their future. Financial need will be a consideration. A $1,000, nonrenewable scholarship will be awarded.

E. Talmadge Darden Memorial Scholarship: Applicant must be a graduating senior who attended King’s Fork Middle School and is planning to attend a four year college. Applicant must have a 3.0 or above grade point average, and plan to major in education, music or culinary arts. Financial need will be a consideration. A $1,500, nonrenewable scholarship will be awarded.

Doug Dohey Memorial Scholarship: Applicant must be a graduating senior who actively participated on their school’s wrestling team and has wrestled during the 2019-20 school year at one of the three high schools. In honor of Doug Dohey, one $1,500, nonrenewable scholarship will be awarded city-wide.

Awards are made following an application process and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Suffolk Education Foundation’s board of directors. Selection criteria include academic achievement, community/school service, and future education and career goals.

If you want to learn more about establishing a memorial scholarship with an endowment, please email or call our administrator, Bethanne Bradshaw, at the Suffolk Education Foundation at suffolkef.contact@gmail.com or 757-237-3249.

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of Suffolk Public School students, you can make a contribution to the Suffolk Education Foundation online at www.suffolkeducationfoundation.org or by mailing your tax-deductible donation to P.O. Box 394, Suffolk, VA 23439-0394. Donations are accepted in honor or memory of individuals or in direct support of other initiatives like the Teacher Supply Store, classroom grants, and of course, scholarships.

The Suffolk Education Foundation was founded in 1993 and received its IRS 501(c)(3) status in the same year. Since that time, the board has worked hard by developing a variety of fundraisers to raise additional donations and to ensure that students and staff of Suffolk Public Schools receive scholarships and classroom grants on an annual basis. The Suffolk Education Foundation has returned nearly $1 million dollars to Suffolk Public Schools. The mission of the Suffolk Education Foundation is to support Suffolk Public Schools by connecting the community’s talents and resources to expand educational opportunities for students and staff. By supporting Suffolk Public Schools, the Foundation is ensuring that the Suffolk community will have talented leaders and citizens long into the future.