Colonel Fred V. Cherry Scholarship
The Suffolk Foundation is pleased and honored 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 in 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 Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be a resident of Suffolk.
- Be an African-American student graduating from any public, private, or home school in Suffolk.
- Have a cumulative weighted GPA of 2.6 or higher.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Demonstrate leadership ability.
- Plan to attend college or university full-time in the fall.
Application, Deadline, and Submission Instructions
The Colonel Fred V. Cherry Scholarship utilizes the Suffolk Foundation’s common scholarship application form, which opens online in February 2026. The application must be submitted online before the deadline of 11:59 pm [date to be determined]. For more information, contact the Foundation staff at office@suffolkfoundation.org or by calling 757-923-9090..
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