Christopher DeFreeuw, of Suffolk, is a recipient of a $2,000 college scholarship awarded at Portsmouth Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

DeFreeuw, the valedictorian of Lakeland High School, is the son of Dana DeFreeuw and plans to enroll in Bridgewater College. While at Lakeland, he participated in band, National Honor Society and the CHROME Club and also was in Boy Scouts and volunteered for the American Cancer Society.

About 700 high-school and college students were awarded the scholarships through the annual Scholarships for Military Children Program. About 4,000 students applied for the scholarships.

The program was initiated in 2000 for qualified children of members of the U.S. Armed Services, including active duty, retirees, guard and reserves, as well as children of deceased military personnel.

Applicants this year were asked to write an essay on proposed solutions to the problem of obesity, which is among the leading causes of military ineligibility for people ages 17 to 24. They also had to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, participate in voluntary school and community activities and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Manufacturers and organizations that do business with the commissary system fund the scholarships.