Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The 2023 Quantez Russell’s Scholarship Fund is again working to support Suffolk Public School high school seniors who will be attending college in fall 2023. The scholarship named for Russell is for $500. 

Along with completing the application, the application states students must complete and submit a 300-word essay on “How to Eradicate/Stop Drugs, Gangs, and Violence in the City of Suffolk.” 

Students must also include a copy of their transcript (with SAT scores), a letter of recommendation from a high school faculty member, a letter from a community service and/or civic activities, must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above, proof of GPA at the end of their junior year, proof of college enrollment for fall 2023, proof of ACT Scores and a proposed field of study.

Born on July 5, 1985, Quantez DeMont Russell grew up in Suffolk until his disappearance on Nov. 11, 2015. As a youth, Russell was a regular church attendee who also loved animals and was a member of the Boys Scouts of America. By age 13, however, Quantez was approached by a member of a gang and began getting into trouble at school, the documentation explains. This led to him joining a gang that further led Russell into guns, drugs and violence as both an older youth and adult.

On Nov. 11, 2015, Joan R. Turner, Russell’s mother, received a phone call stating he was “shot and unresponsive” in the City of Newport News. Despite this call, Russell’s body as well as any communication with him was never revealed and hasn’t been ever since that day. Russell’s family hopes this scholarship will keep his name alive, show the importance of receiving a good education, and continue to strive for positivity despite this horrifying event.

“The Quantez Russell Scholarship Fund would love to assist in continuing the education for those youth [who] are interested in attending a college or university,” Turner said. “The accomplishments of each student will bring a smile to my face and tears of joy in my eyes in honor of my son, Quantez.”

All applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, April 14, 2023. A copy of the application can be found at www.spsk12.net/domain/877.

For more information, please contact Turner at 757-650-8096 or by email at ilv4n6@msn.com.