The Lynell Oliver Baker Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to two female graduates in the Suffolk Public Schools. Each girl received $2,000 paid directly to their universities.

Taylor E. Beale of King’s Fork High School and Sierra N. Leickert of Lakeland High School are the recipients for 2013.

Taylor Beale, an honor graduate, has excelled academically while serving as captain of the volleyball and basketball teams for two years, earning the Sportsmanship Award, playing soccer and serving as team captain.

She was part of the Peer Ending Peer Conflict group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and an officer in the Future Business Leaders of America Club. She is a life member of a church in Norfolk, worked at McDonald’s and completed 133 hours of community service. Taylor is attending East Carolina University and plans to become an anesthesiologist.

Sierra Leickert, also an honor graduate, served as co-captain of junior varsity soccer, was a two-year letterman and starter in varsity soccer, two-year letterman in varsity swimming, Queen of the Pool award recipient, and Golden Goggles award recipient and co-MVP in swimming at Lakeland High School in 2013.

She was a member of the Anchor Club, Future Business Leaders of America, National English Honors Society, National Honor Society, Senior Beta Club, Yearbook Club, National Spanish Honors Society, People to People Student Ambassador, and National Honors Society of High School Scholars. Sierra volunteered with Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community serving as board member and Youth Ambassador. She wrote an advice column for healthy People Healthy Suffolk and served as a summer intern in a local law office. She is attending the University of Virginia with the goal of becoming a child psychologist.

The Lynell Oliver Baker Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to outstanding female graduates of the Suffolk public high schools 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.

Lynell, 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 and Mrs. Linda Drummond, and friends and family established the scholarship in her memory to recognize outstanding female graduates in the Suffolk Public Schools who, like Lynell, are compassionate leaders in their school and community. Thirty-nine 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 Mrs. Paige Hill, 309 Bosley Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434. Applications for the 2014 scholarship are available now at each Suffolk public high school.