The Lynell Oliver Baker Memorial Scholarship was awarded in June to three female graduates of Suffolk Public Schools, with each receiving $3,000 paid directly to their universities.   

The 2023 recipients are: Noelle Ingram of King’s Fork High School, Madison Bullock of Lakeland High School, and Emma Rotzler of Lakeland High School.

Ingram completed the International Baccalaureate Program diploma requirements and was KFHS’s salutatorian. She served as captain of the varsity field hockey team for two years. received a letter in volleyball for three years and in varsity tennis for two years. 

Ingram was a member and served as president of the National Honor Society, the Sister Cities Club and Senior Council and Ecology Club, and was a student board member of the Suffolk Education Foundation. Her volunteer work included Pen Pal Project, Project GRO, IB Math tutoring founder, and youth praise and worship leader at her church. Her work experience included car wash employee, daycare worker, camp counselor and fast-food restaurant employee.  

Ingram is attending Stanford University with a career goal of becoming a corporate attorney.  

Bullock met the advanced diploma requirements at LHS and completed the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences Program.  

She earned a letter in varsity volleyball, playing for four years.  She also played varsity softball for four years and travel softball for six years.  

Bullock was a member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America and Rho Kappa.  Her volunteer experience included community service with Jimmy Pike Memorial Softball tournaments, PLTW Biomedical Sciences program events and nursery caregiver at her church.  Her work experience included professional cleaning services and dog grooming. 

Bullock is attending Randolph-Macon College to prepare for a career in nursing.    

Rotzler is an advanced diploma graduate at LHS. She also earned an associate degree at Paul D. Camp Community College.  

She was a member of the Forest Glen Middle School volleyball team, the LHS junior varsity for one year and the varsity volleyball team for three years. She also served as assistant middle school coach and hydration specialist.  

Rotzler’s school activities included National Honor Society secretary, Future Farmers of America officer, Rho Kappa, Phi Theta Kappa, and NSHSS. Volunteer work included 4 -H Club, Miss Agriculture USA, Girl Scouts, Franklin/Southampton County Junior Fair Board and church.  

Rotzler is attending North Carolina State University in the fall with a career goal in agriculture education.

The Lynell Oliver Baker Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to outstanding female SPS graduates for exceptional achievement in five areas: athletics, academics, school activities, church, and community activities and a 500-word essay that expresses goals, family support and financial need.

Baker, a 1989 Suffolk High School honor graduate, was planning to attend Campbell College.  She died July 9, 1989, after suffering head trauma as a result of a fall from a horse. Her parents, Robert Baker III and Linda Drummond, and friends and family established the scholarship in her memory to recognize outstanding female SPS graduates who, like Lynell, are compassionate leaders in their school and community. Sixty-four young women with great potential have been recognized since 1990.

Tax-deductible contributions to the scholarship fund may be made to:  Lynell Oliver Baker Memorial Scholarship, care of Lynn E. Cross, Ed.D., 409 Forest Hill Crescent, Suffolk, Virgina 23434.  Applications for the 2024 scholarship will be due by March 27, 2024, at each Suffolk public high school.