Colonel Fred V. Cherry Scholarship
Purpose
The Suffolk Foundation is both pleased and honored to have been asked to administer the Col. Fred V. Cherry Scholarship, which was established by Mrs. Margaret W. Reid to honor this highly decorated Vietnam Prisoner of War. Born (1928) and educated in Suffolk, Virginia, Fred Cherry graduated from Virginia Union University in 1951 and entered the United States Air Force that same year. He attended flight school and completed Jet Fighter Pilot training in 1952. After receiving his wings and completing intensive combat training, he flew more than 50 combat missions over North Korea. During the War in Vietnam, Cherry flew over 52 missions and on his last mission, was shot down on October 22, 1965, and was immediately captured. He remained a prisoner of war until the end of hostilities and the return of our POWs on February, 1973. Fred Cherry retired from the military in 1981, during which time he earned 30 plus military awards and decorations including the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Air Force Commendation, the Meritorious Service Award, two President Unit Citations, and a Distinguished Unit Citation. (www. pownetwork.org)
Scholarship Policy
- Purpose: The purpose of this scholarship is to provide recognition and financial assistance to one or more college-bound, African-American students, graduating from a high school in Suffolk, by providing a non-renewable payment towards the student’s first-year educational experience.
- Amount of Award: The amount of the scholarship will be determined each year by the Investment Committee, based on income from the scholarship’s endowment. (Previous awards have ranged from $1,000 – $3,000.)
- Eligibility and Selection Criteria: African-American Seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.6 are eligible for consideration. Selection of the winner will be based primarily on the applicant’s financial need and demonstrated leadership ability. Grade point average may also be considered.
- Application Procedure: See below.
- Selection of Scholarship Recipient: The Foundation’s Distribution Committee will select a recipient based upon the above criteria by May 10th of each year.
- Distribution: Funds will be paid directly to the college or university that the recipient will attend. Verification of college/university enrollment must be received by the Suffolk Foundation prior to any funds being distributed.
- Term of the Award: The scholarship award will be a one-time award.
Application, Deadline, and Submission Instructions
The Colonel Fred V. Cherry Scholarship utilizes the Suffolk Foundation’s common scholarship application form, which opens online on February 3, 2025. The application must be submitted online before the deadline of 5:00 pm, March 21, 2025. For more information, contact the Foundation staff at office@suffolkfoundation.
Awardees
2024: Noah McGirt, Nansemond River High School
2023: Noelle Ingram, King’s Fork High School
2022: Katelyn Johnson, Nansemond River High School
2021: Christiana Green, Lakeland High School
2020: Kiana Grant, Nansemond River High School
2019: Trinity McRae, Lakeland High School; Audrey Davis, King’s Fork High School;
Jaylon Hayes-Keller, Nansemond River High School
2018: Ashley Bido, King’s Fork High School
2017: Tenisha Alston, Lakeland High School
2016: Paula Steward, Lakeland High School
2015: Ryan Askew, Nansemond River High School
2014: Destine Fonoimoana, King’s Fork High School
2013: Gabrielle Saunders, King’s Fork High School
2012: Shanice Mason, Nansemond River High School
2011: Shanice Hardy, Nansemond River High School
2010: Desmond McGlone, Lakeland High School