Suffolk Foundation Awards $100k in Scholarships

Suffolk, VA, June 17, 2024 — When Veronica Thompson of Suffolk Business Women convened her committee of volunteers this year to read applications for their scholarship, it might have been easy to feel overwhelmed: 31 extraordinary young women applied for this scholarship, which is managed by the Suffolk Foundation. “There were so many great candidates, and it was very difficult to narrow it down,” Veronica said. “They were all so deserving.” 

After interviews and much deliberation, the committee chose Destiny Caravello from Nansemond River High School for their $2,000 award, and no wonder; Destiny is a stand-out student-athlete involved in her community with volunteering at her church and other organizations. Destiny also caught the attention of the James Blair Scholarship Committee, also part of the Suffolk Foundation, who awarded her a $5,000 scholarship.

Members of Suffolk Business Women present their $2,000 scholarship to Destiny Caravello, 2024 graduate of Nansemond River High School. Pictured from left to right: Veronica Thompson, Karla Kelly, Destiny Caravello, and Emily Asbell.

Destiny is just one of 19 students to receive a scholarship this year from the Suffolk Foundation. The Suffolk Foundation’s scholarships support students continuing their education at colleges, universities, or trade schools.

The 2024 Suffolk Foundation Scholarships and Recipients were:

  • Allfirst Memorial Scholarship: Kaylee Roggie, Peninsula Catholic High School, $1,000
  • Amy Phelps Art Scholarship: Lailah Collins, Smithfield High School, $2,000
  • Audrey B. Butler Memorial Scholarship: Natalie Gonzalez-Espinal, King’s Fork High School, $1,250
  • Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship: Teniya Jordan, King’s Fork High School, $4,000 per year (renewable)
  • Col. Fred V. Cherry Scholarship: Noah McGirt, Nansemond River High School, $2,500
  • DiStasio Health Professions Scholarship: Jackson Ryan Ray, Isle of Wight Academy, $2,000
  • Howard D. Mast Memorial Scholarship: Noah Wells, Nansemond River High School; and Nicholas Conboy, Nansemond River High School, $5,000 each
  • James M. Blair Memorial Scholarship: Destiny Caravello, Nansemond River High School, $5,500
  • Just Because Scholarship: Braedon Dennis, Nansemond River High School, $1,000 
  • Lewis F. Morris and William L. Whitley Scholarship: Zyon Wilson, Kings Fork High School, $1,500
  • Louis and Mary Haddad Foundation Scholarship: Ramirsjae Young, Lakeland High School, $1,700
  • Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship: Grace Legg, Gates County Senior High School; Kate Holland, Isle of Wight Academy; Jacy Keith, Gates County Senior High School; $10,000 each per year (renewable)
  • Oliver K. Hobbs Sr. STEM Scholarship: Mason Ternes, Nansemond River High School, $1,500 
  • Ossie S. & Thomas F. Blair Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Vann, Lakeland High School, $5,500 per year (renewable)
  • Otha S. Rountree Memorial Scholarship for Nursing Education: Peyton Chinn, Lakeland High School $1,500
  • Suffolk Business Women’s Scholarship: Destiny Caravello, Nansemond River High School, $2,000
  • William N. Billy Hill Scholarship: Brenda Holloman, Lakeland High School, $2,000

As she continued to highlight candidates for the Suffolk Business Women’s Scholarship, Veronica Thompson added, “It is good to know that this generation has some strong and amazing young women that look forward to making big changes in this world!” The Suffolk Foundation is excited for more bright individuals that become future scholarship recipients.

The Suffolk Foundation is a 501c3 community foundation, whose mission is to benefit the people of Suffolk and Western Tidewater by facilitating and developing philanthropy and awarding grants and scholarships to meet a broad range of local community needs. Since the Suffolk Foundation was formed in 2006, it has awarded over $8.4 million in grants and $450,000 in scholarships.

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