CUMMING — The Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 12 recent high school graduates.

Students from all five county high schools, along with a homeschool student, received scholarships.

During a ceremony, state Sen. Michael Williams congratulated the students and gave them words of encouragement.

The scholarship recipients include:

* Mina Asabre of Central is going to attend the University of North Georgia to study nursing.

* Adrian Babykin of North Forsyth will be attending Georgia Perimeter College and majoring in physics.

* Avery Babykin of North Forsyth will be attending the University of North Georgia with plans to become a dentist.

* Madison Booher of North Forsyth will be attending Kennesaw State University to study to be a pediatrician.

* Barrett Crowder of South Forsyth is an aspiring actor who will be attending Gainesville Theatre Alliance School. He also would like to be a language arts and theater teacher.

* Delaney Givens from Lambert will be attending Georgia College & State University and plans to major in special education and occupational speech therapy.

* Samantha Fernandez, also from Central, will be going to the University of North Georgia to study physical therapy.

* Julia Matteson was homeschooled and attended Veritas Classical School. She has been doing dual enrollment for two years at both Georgia Perimeter College and Armstrong State University, where she will finish her studies to become a speech pathologist.

* Allie McConnell of Central will be going to Brenau University and plans to become an occupational therapist.

* Grace McHan of Forsyth Central is going to the University of North Georgia. She plans to major in business.

* Aisvarya Panaham of South Forsyth will be attending Johns Hopkins University and majoring in public health and international relations.

* McKinley Puckett of West Forsyth plans to attend Shorter University, where she will major in biology.