Two Forsyth County high school seniors received more than $12,000 in scholarships from the Georgia United foundation, according to a press release from the organization.

Bennett Mathis, a senior at Forsyth Central, received the Geraldine Tilson scholarship for $7,500. A dual-enrollment student at the University of North Georgia, Mathis volunteers at local children’s hospitals and nursing homes and hopes to become a nurse practitioner and provide health care to underserved and underprivileged communities around the world.

Hailey Akins, a senior at South Forsyth, received the Dorothy Dusenberry Pirkle scholarship for $5,000. Akins holds leadership positions in a variety of school organizations and plans to major in chemistry at Georgia Tech to pursue a career as a chemistry research professor and conduct research on sustainable energy resources.

The Georgia United Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Duluth-based Georgia United Credit Union, and this year’s scholarships marked the 25th year for the program. 

Winners were selected based on a creative video submission, academic accomplishments, leadership and participation in school and community activities.