The Newport News Sheriff’s Office recently presented three $1,000 scholarships to Newport News students and residents to pursue a criminal justice career. When meeting with the recipients last week, Sheriff Gabe Morgan discussed the importance of these awards given by the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute.

“First, most students are struggling to finance the cost of a college education. This scholarship helps to defray the cost. Second, the scholarship program enables local sheriffs to build relationships with college students studying criminal justice. In the case of Newport News, these relationships often mature into employment opportunities for the recipients,” Sheriff Morgan said.

Two of the recipients are graduating from Newport News Public Schools and will attending college in the fall. Kaelyn Benton-Hooker will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University and Alexis Glass will be attending Old Dominion University. The third recipient is Newport News resident, Ms. Amari Holmes, who received the scholarship to continue her studies at Norfolk State University.

Part of the application process requires students in Newport News to meet with Sheriff Morgan and talk about their plans. He then writes letters of recommendation, which are submitted to Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute. This year Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute awarded 86 scholarships totaling $86,000. Full-time students received $1,000 and part-time students received $500.

 Applications for the next school year are expected to be released in January 2017 and will be available on The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute Website. For more information contact the Sheriff's Department at 757-926-8535.