In Polk County, Matias Akers and Belen Akers, twin siblings, are graduating! Matias, who has been matched with Big Brother Allen Burdette since 2009, will be attending Appalachian State University. So will Belen, who has been matched with Big Sister Cathy Smith Bowers since 2008.
“I have had three of my children in BBBS, and they were all perfectly matched,” Matias and Belen’s mother, Karen Schinke, said. “Belen and Matias will be in Cath and Allen’s lives for the rest of their lives, and I am very happy about that.” 
