Purpose

To honor the sacrifices of local emergency responders and their families and to promote continuing education at institutions of higher learning. Priority will be given to a student who volunteers with the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department or any Prince George County Emergency Services Department, or who is a dependent of a current or former volunteer of the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department or any Prince George County Emergency Services Department. Preference will also be given to individuals interested in pursuing a course of study in the medical field or receiving appropriate training as a full-time or part-time firefighter or emergency services. Students must meet the basic requirements as outlined in the scholarship guidelines below.

Background

The Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department David Zuskin Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established in 1986. David, who was chief of the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department and a fire inspector at Fort Lee, passed away in a drowning accident on the James River near Flowerdew Hundred Plantation in May of 1985. He jumped off an electric tower base to swim to help a man and child in his boat. The boat would not start and was floating away from the tower to which it had been attached. David’s brother, Dickie Zuskin, who is an active member with the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department and recently celebrated 50 years of service with the department, recalls how members of the Fort Lee and the Prince George community lined the streets to pay final respects to his brother David, who was so dearly loved by all who knew him.

In October 2016, The Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department transferred the scholarship program to the John Randolph Foundation to administer. The Foundation is honored and humbled to assist the Zuskin family and Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department in ensuring that David’s legacy of serving his community, touching lives, and living with zeal will never be forgotten.

Policy

The scholarship program is available to students residing in Prince George County. Students attending Tidewater Academy, Southampton Academy, Appomattox Regional Governor's School or Maggie Walker Governor's School who reside in Prince George County may also apply. Student interns working for John Randolph Foundation are eligible to apply; however, Foundation trustees, other Foundation employees and their immediate families (parents, spouses, brothers, sisters, and anyone claimed as a dependent for tax purposes) are not eligible to apply. Please visit www.johnrandolphfoundation.org and click on the scholarship link for more information.

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• Express an interest in continuing education at institutions of higher learning. Preference will be given to individuals interested in pursuing a course of study in the medical field or receiving appropriate training as a full-time or part-time firefighter or emergency services provider. Priority will be given to a student who volunteers with the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department, or who is a dependent of a current or former volunteer of the Disputanta Volunteer Fire Department.
• Submit a completed “John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application” ONLINE which includes the ability to UPLOAD the required “attachments” requested on the application;
• Be a well-rounded individual with extracurricular activities;
• Demonstrate active participation in the community;
• Must have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or better.