Three college students from Suffolk have received scholarships from the Scholarships for Military Children Program.

More than 4,000 students applied for the scholarships, one of the military community’s premier benefits, at commissary locations worldwide. Each of the Suffolk students was awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

Jennifer Amspacher is the daughter of Elena and Gary Amspacher. She is enrolled at the University of London. Her school and community activities include volunteering at Langley hospital, track, tennis, cheerleading and the Basic Life Support certification. She applied at the Langley Air Force Base commissary.

Rachel Gist, the daughter of Phillip and Beth Gist, is enrolled at Randolph-Macon College. Her school and community activities include field hockey, student council, Lake Prince Woods volunteer, National Honor Society and Young Life Club. She applied at the Norfolk Naval Station commissary.

Leanna Harville, the daughter of Scott Harville, is enrolled at Ferrum College. Her school and community activities include cross-country, 4-H Club, youth group, NOB vet clinic volunteer and FCA. She applied at the Norfolk Naval Station commissary.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program was initiated in 2000 to award scholarship to graduating high school seniors or college-enrolled students. The program is open to qualified sons and daughters of members of the U.S. armed services, including active duty, retirees, guard and reserves, as well as children of deceased military personnel.

Applicants were required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, participate in voluntary school and community activities, demonstrate leadership qualities and write an essay. For this year’s essay topic, students were required to choose and write about a woman who, during World War II, significantly influenced military decisions for either the Allied or Axis forces.

Manufacturers and organizations that do business with the commissary system fund the scholarships with money ordinary used for various other contests and promotions. Amspacher’s scholarship was funded by Kellogg’s, while Gist’s and Harville’s were funded by the ALA Hampton Roads Chapter.