At the May 26 meeting of the Dawson County Republican Party, the inaugural recipient of the Charles C. Smith, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was presented.

Todd Bennett, a senior at Dawson County High School, was selected by a committee of Dawson County GOP members.

The scholarship was established to honor one of its members, the late Charles C. Smith Jr. for his military service. He served in the U.S. Navy during the World War II era.

The scholarship is funded by the Smith family and the Dawson County Republican Party.

Each year, a high school senior who is planning to pursue a career in the military will be awarded the scholarship.

The student must have a strong academic record and demonstrate exceptional leadership skills.

The son of Ronny and Pamela Bennett of Dawsonville, Todd Bennett plans to attend North Georgia College & State University as a cadet. He will major in international business, focusing on either the Middle East or Asia.

He plans to pursue a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Army.