Three students beat an outstanding field to net scholarships from a parish council.

Katiya Gilbert, Veronica Swan-DeGraff and Gabrielle DeShields got their awards from Southampton Parish Council.

Sakina Darrell, the council’s scholarship committee chairwoman, said: “This year’s applicants were remarkable, with the standard of each application increasing with each applicant we interviewed.

“Southampton residents should be especially proud because even applicants who we could not award were so accomplished that most of them earned scholarships from other sources.

“Accordingly, we are proud of every student who applied and wish them all the absolute best in their studies.”

Stacey-Lee Williams, the council chairwoman, added: “Awarding our scholarships is a bittersweet part of our service to Southampton’s residents.

“On one hand, we are elated to assist our young people and their families as we each deeply believe in the power of education to change lives.

“On the other hand, our biggest regret each year is that we cannot give more and help even more students, so the council is proud to do what we can.”

All three winners have their sights set on bachelor of science degrees.

Ms Gilbert will study social work at Oakwood University in Alabama; Ms Swan-DeGraff will study biomedicine at Advent Health University in Florida; and Ms DeShields will study psychology at Union College in Nebraska.

They were presented with the scholarship awards at a ceremony at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse last Thursday.