The Suffolk Education Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2011 college scholarships. This year, the Foundation awarded $10,000 to help 10 local high school graduates continue their education. Since 1993, the Foundation has committed more than $220,000 in college scholarships for local high school students.

Each of the students below will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The three recipients of the annual Jean and Harry L. Cross Jr. Endowment Scholarship are Rashawn McKinney of Nansemond River High School, Brittany Milteer of Lakeland High School and Caitlin Page of King’s Fork High School.

McKinney plans to study computer science at Old Dominion University. Milteer plans to study chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Page will attend James Madison University to study studio art and computer animation. The Cross family established this scholarship to honor their father, who was a well-known Suffolk real estate agent who served on the School Board.

The three recipients of the annual Helen and Ned Ferguson Endowment Scholarship are Kelsey Davis of Nansemond River High School, Shannon Harris of Lakeland High School and Deborah Cameron of King’s Fork High School.

Davis plans to attend the University of Virginia to study criminology for a career in national security. Harris plans to attend Old Dominion University to study nursing with her sights set on becoming a nurse anesthetist. Cameron will be attending George Mason University to study biology.

Additionally, the foundation administers endowed scholarships for the families of Gertrude B. Pruden and the Hon. G. Blair Harry.

Dondre’ Jordan received the Gertrude B. Pruden Family Arts Scholarship. He will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University to study music performance.

Yasmin Artis of King’s Fork High School and Perri Holloman of Nansemond River High School received the G. Blair Harry Memorial Scholarship Awards. Artis will attend Virginia Commonwealth University to study biology and computer programming and to play soccer. Holloman is headed to Virginia State University to study biology and chemistry and to play field hockey.

Michelle Martin received a newly-created scholarship from the Suffolk Education Foundation this year. The Foundation voted to create three awards, the Career and Technical Education Scholarships, for each of the high schools to assist a student going to a community college or technical school. Martin plans to study business administration at Tidewater Community College. The Foundation will be working this year to ensure parents and students are aware of these new scholarships.

Awards are made following an application process and review by a committee from the Suffolk Education Foundation’s board of directors. Selection criteria include academic achievement, community and school service and future education and career goals.

Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship funds of the Suffolk Education Foundation can send their tax-deductible donation to P.O. Box 394, Suffolk VA 23439-0394. Please note to which fund your contribution should be credited. General donations are also accepted to help the Foundation in its other programs, including classroom instructional grants, Teacher of the Year and Star Award employee recognitions, and tuition assistance for high school students taking dual-credit college courses.

Call executive director Mary Donny at 757-377-4713 for more information.