Charlotte State Bank (www.charlottestatebank.com) has awarded $500 college scholarships to a pair of local high school seniors: Lunise Benjamin of Port Charlotte High School and Jennifer Reynolds Temple of Charlotte High School.

The students received 2008 Charlotte State Bank Hometown Scholarships during Senior Awards Night ceremonies held by the two schools in May.

A total of 28 students applied for the scholarships, and the recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

Benjamin, who attained a 4.16 grade point average (GPA) at Port Charlotte High and plans a career in nursing, will be attending the University of Florida in the fall.

Temple, who graduated magna cum laude from Charlotte High after earning a 3.85 cumulative GPA, plans to attend Northwestern University in Chicago and major in journalism. www.charlottestatebank.com.