Student Athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting

Board of Education, Press Release
Dawson County School System Board of Education recognizes student athletes at meeting.

At the meeting on January 11, the Dawson County School System Board of Education welcomed student athletes to attend:

Student athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting.

The Dawson County High School state champion cheerleading squad celebrated its hard work at the meeting.

We recognized several of our Dawson County High School athletic groups at tonight’s Board of Education meeting, including our State Champion Cheerleading squad, Varsity Football team, Varsity Softball team, and Varsity Boys Cross Country team. Thank you to all who attended and helped recognize these amazing student athletes!

Student athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting.

The school’s varsity football team attended the Board of Education meeting for its accomplishments.

Student athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting.

Along with other athletic groups, the varsity softball team enjoyed the community’s recognition.

Student athletes recognized at Board of Education meeting.

The Board of Education welcomed the varsity boys cross country team at its meeting on January 11.

Roger D. Slaton AgriScience Center plans approved

News, Tiger's Corner
Roger Slaton standing for Photo

Dawsonville, Ga. – Plans to move forward with the Roger D. Slaton AgriScience Center are ‘100% complete’ as of this week, The Dawson County Board of Education announced at the Sept. 14 meeting Tuesday night.

Dr. Damon Gibbs addressed the other members of the board with an update on the Roger D. Slaton AgriScience project at the Sept. 14 meeting.

“We [were] delayed a little bit because of some acquisition of property that we had put together and we had to have it re-surveyed and had to get the state back out to reassess the piece of property,” Gibbs said.

Although there were delays in the timeline, Gibbs stated that as of this week the plans are now 100% complete.

Gibbs added that construction on the project will be taking place very soon.

The project will be put out to bid in early October, and they are putting bid packages together in the next two weeks.

Gibbs also mentioned that the multipurpose facility project bids are out and were posted on Sept. 3, so construction could take place very soon.

He believed both projects will break ground and be under construction before the end of the year.

The AgriScience center is to be built at Dawson County High School and named after late board member Roger Slaton.

Slaton served as a member of the Dawson County Board of Education for 36 years.

In August, the board voted to dedicate the new facility in Slaton’s memory for his dedication to serving the Dawson County School System.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, was the first meeting new board member Barry Slaton, son of the late Roger Slaton, attended as a sitting member of the Dawson County Board of Education. He was sworn in earlier that day.

DCHS Business Education teacher arrested, charged with sexual exploitation of children

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Ryan Dennis Coker, 38, a Business Education teacher at Dawson County High School, was arrested Tuesday (Dec. 8) and charged with six felony counts of sexual exploitation of children and unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance.

Following Coker’s arrest the Dawson County School System released a statement stating that they are cooperating fully with the sheriff’s office investigation, and that Coker has been placed on administrative leave.

Coker is accused of having possession of photographs depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He is being held in the Dawson County Detention Center. Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Dawson County School System announces employee arrest

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawson County School System announced at 4:15 p.m. today  (Dec. 8) that an unidentified “staff member of Dawson County High School/Dawson County Junior High has been arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s office.”

The staff member has been placed on administrative leave. The charges have not been announced. However, the school system announcement stated that additional information would be released later this afternoon.

Follow Fetch Your News for more news on this developing story.

Tigers soccer woes continue in loss to Pickens

DCHS Soccer, Team FYN Sports
DCHS Tigers Soccer

The Dawson Co. High Tigers soccer team’s early season challenges continued to mount as they dropped a tough game Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Dawsonville, against the Pickens Dragons by a final score of 6-2. In addition to a difficult schedule that has had the Tigers facing high-caliber competition, the team is now battling both illness and injury according to head coach Patrick Muenchen.

“Our starting keeper had a concussion, he’s out indefinitely. Our second keeper is dealing with a throat virus, he was out too, so we actually pulled a guy that hasn’t played keeper since last year,” Muenchen said. “They still need some experience back there, so we probably lost two goals to that.”

The Dragons opened the scoring almost immediately when Juan Sanchez, one of the top-ranked high school players in the state, broke free on the far side of the field for a one-on-one challenge with freshman keeper Austin Corn in the eighth minute of play.

Three minutes later, another defensive breakdown allowed Pickens forward Carter Lindsey into the backfield unopposed and the Dragons were up by two in the first 10 minutes of action.

After the initial flurry of scoring, the Tigers settled into an attacking style of play, with junior Caleb Bonesteel sending the ball deep into Pickens territory while forwards Jose Sandoval, Blake Frazier, and team captain Michael Velasquez applied pressure on the net.

The strategy paid off when the trio connected on a series of passes and a shot from Frazier to cut the lead in half with 16:51 remaining in the first half.

DCHS Tigers Soccer

1-2-3, Tigers! The Dawson Co. soccer team breaks their huddle Feb. 25 prior to the game against Pickens.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys on the team this year,” Velasquez said. “Games like this will definitely give them experience and help them get better as we move into regional play.”

Moments later, a rapid transition by the Dragons caught the Tigers flat-footed and Sanchez broke free for a second time to push the score back to 3-1 in the 27th minute. The Dragons found the goal again with less than five minutes remaining in the half to head into the break with a 4-1 lead.

Dawson Co. found themselves further behind in the first minutes of the second half as the Dragons scored their fifth goal of the contest on the opening possession.

Despite trailing 5-1, the Tigers fought hard to move the ball downfield and Velasquez cut into the lead with a precise back post shot in the 58th to spark a long string of opportunities for the Dawson Co. offense.

“We had more offensive opportunities in this game then we’ve had in the past,” Muenchen said. “A couple of missed opportunities right in front of the goal, but I’m proud of the guys for moving it forward and start to work on our offense.”

The Tigers soccer team will make a brief, one-game road trip to face the Calhoun Yellow Jackets on Friday, Feb. 28, before returning home to host the Cherokee Bluff Bears in their first regional contest March 3.

Lady Tigers pick up first win of season against Pickens

DCHS Soccer, Team FYN Sports
DCHS Lady Tigers Soccer

The Dawson Co. Lady Tigers varsity soccer team was firing on all cylinders as they struck fast and often Tuesday, Feb. 25, routing the Pickens Lady Dragons by a final score of 5-0 in Dawsonville for the team’s first win of the 2020 season.

“It’s been a challenge this year, wins have been hard to come by,” head coach Chess Hamby said. “We’ve played some quality opponents. Hopefully, it pays off in March and April when we hit regional play.”

The Lady Tigers were on the attack from the very first minute of the game, creating shooting opportunities on nearly every possession, but it wasn’t until the 31st minute of play that junior Molly Muenchen connected on a beautiful cross from Piper Wright to allow the Lady Tigers to head into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

DCHS Lady Tigers Soccer

Molly Muenchen and Piper Wright go on the attack Feb. 25 against Pickens.

“Everything came together for us as a team tonight,” Muenchen said. “This win will definitely build some confidence for us to take into our first region game next week.”

The second half was all Dawson Co. as the squad continued to apply pressure deep in Pickens’ half of the field. Muenchen opened the scoring with her second goal, assisted by a pass from forward Clarise Griffith, to put Dawson Co. up by two.

Annie Gloeckner effectively put the lid on the game with a pair of goals fifteen minutes apart, driving home a short shot through traffic with 28:55 remaining. She then nailed a solid mid-field shot off the upper crossbar in the game’s 66th minute to extend the Lady Tigers’ lead to 4-0.

Muenchen put the icing on the cake with 8:23 left on the clock as she blasted a penalty shot past the Pickens’ keeper to complete the hat trick.

Dawson Co.’s passing game was on target all night and generated multiple scoring opportunities for the Lady Tigers who amassed an astounding 28 shots on goal and tallied five assists. In addition to Wright and Griffith; Maggie Wright, Liz Lessard, and Emily Varca all provided support on the team’s five goals.

DCHS Lady Tiger Soccer

Kenna Lebaron puts the ball in play against the Lady Dragons on Feb. 25.

“I’m very proud of these girls, we’ve got great leadership,” Hamby said. “There’s a lot of young girls that grew up tonight and the older girls were there motivating them and coaching them up on the field and I really appreciate that.”

With the win the Lady Tigers move to 1-4-1 on the season and will be back on the road against the Calhoun Yellow Jackets on Friday, Feb. 28, before opening their regional schedule against the Greater Atlanta Christian Lady Spartans in the first week of March.

Dawson Co. wins wrestling tournament on senior night

Dawson Co. Wrestling, Team FYN Sports

With their seniors being honored for their years of hard work, Dawson Co. won both of their matches Tuesday night, Jan. 28, in Dawsonville.

Senior D.J. Mitchell pinning a White Co. wrestler.

The Tigers narrowly defeated Cherokee Bluff 42-35 in the first match. Kincaid Schuette, D.J. Mitchell, Danny Phillips, G. Westbrooks, L. Buytendrop, H. Martins, and Isaiah Lail all recorded pins for the Tigers. 

The senior night ceremony was after the match between White Co. and Cherokee Bluff, which White Co. won.

Seniors walked around the mat with their families and shook hands with the entire team and coaching staff. Some of their accomplishments, favorite moments, and future plans were also announced.

Dawson Co. seniors! Congratulations!

The seniors that were recognized were Brianna Ray, Christian Harper, D.J. Mitchell, Danny Phillips, and Joey Toals.

In their second match of the night, Dawson Co. defeated White Co. 58-24. Kincaid Schuette, D.J. Mitchell, Danny Phillips, L. Buytendrop, G. Beal, and Christian Harper all recorded pins for the Tigers.

Huge 4th quarter lifts Dawson County boys to victory over Creekview

Dawson County High School, Team FYN Sports

The Dawson County boys defeated Creekview 70-59 in the first round of the North Forsyth Tip-off tournament on Saturday. They outscored the Grizzlies 28-11 in the fourth quarter, 13 of which came from Mason Barnes. Barnes had a game-high 23 points, and Jasper Gibson pitched in 17.

Mason Barnes shoots the contested three.

The Tigers came out of the first quarter with a lead, but the game was tight. They lead 18-17 after one. The second quarter was just as close, with the game being tied at 33 heading into halftime. Gibson lead the Tigers with 10 in the first half.

Dawson’s offense struggled in the third quarter, as they only scored nine points. They headed into the final quarter down 48-42.

Jasper Gibson finishes the tough lay-up.

The Tigers opened the quarter on an 8-2 run to tie the game quickly. The teams stayed close for a few minutes by trading scores. Dawson then broke the game open by scoring 15 of the last 18 points to take the victory.

The Dawson County boys will play Cherokee High School in the second round of the tournament on Monday at 5:30 P.M.

No injuries reported in wreck at Dawson County High

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Today (Sept. 18) at approximately 7:30 a.m., troopers from the Cumming Post of the Georgia State Patrol were called to investigate a crash on Perimeter Road in front of Dawson County High School.

A white GMC Yukon, driven by 32-year-old Gloria Marie Cruz of Dawsonville, was attempting to turn left from the Dawson County High School driveway onto Perimeter Road.  Cruz failed to yield to a black Dodge Ram 1500 truck, driven by 17-year-old Aaron David Muilenburg from Dawsonville, who was traveling north on Perimeter Road.

The front of the Yukon struck the right side of the Ram truck.  This impact caused the Ram truck to veer to the left into the central turn lane where it collided head on with a white Ford Expedition, driven by 45-year-old William Johnny Holtzclaw of Dawsonville.

In the Yukon, there were two passengers, a 6-month old female and a 5-year-old female.  Both children were properly restrained in the correct type of car seat. Everyone involved was properly restrained by seatbelts and no injuries were reported.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this crash.

Cruz was cited for failure to yield after stopping at the stop sign.

According to one county commissioner, the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education agreed earlier this year to provide funding for someone from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office direct traffic at schools in the morning and afternoon. Witnesses said there was no one directing traffic at the time of the accident.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Dawson County Tigers preparing for season at North Forsyth camp

Dawson County High School, Dawson County High School, Sports, Team FYN Sports

With the regular season only weeks away, high school teams in the North Georgia area know that they have to take every chance they can to get better. That’s exactly what the Dawson County Tigers and several other teams from the North Georgia/metro-Atlanta area are doing this week at the North Forsyth High School contact camp.

The camp started this morning at 9 a.m. and lasted until around noon. Each team had a chance to play in a scrimmage game twice. Teams will return again tomorrow at the same time.

The scrimmage games were played in a format that allowed seven to eight minutes of possession time for each team. After time ran out the teams would change possession. Plays were stopped at first contact with the ball carrier.

The Tigers scrimmaged Southwest DeKalb for the first game. This game was played at a slower pace so the Tigers could rotate players. Junior Varsity and Varsity teams were present for the Tigers, so the rotation schedule allowed playing time for both teams.

An interception caught for the Tigers in their first scrimmage game against Southwest DeKalb High School.

Dawson County scrimmaged Collins Hill in the second game. Although this game was played in the same format as the first, it was played at a faster pace to focus on moving the ball and gaining yardage. Each game lasted an hour and a half.

“We’ve got a very young squad, a lot of these guys are just trying to get their feet wet before we officially kick off next week,” said Sid Maxwell, head coach for the Tigers. “[We’re] Just trying to get another chance to come out and play somebody.”

Maxwell said that this camp is the third contact camp for the Tigers this summer, and they are gearing up for the start of their mandatory practices next week.

Watch the full video interview with Coach Maxwell below, and check out pictures from the camp on Team FYN Sports Facebook page!

https://youtu.be/FJmQ34uocxY

DCHS student charged with making terroristic threats

News

A 14-year-old Dawson County High School student has been charged with Disruption of a Public School and Terroristic Threats.

School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs said, “The Dawson County School System takes all threats seriously and, as always, the safety of our students is our top priority. I want to thank Sheriff Johnson and his staff for acting quickly and handling the situation professionally. The school system will hold the student accountable to the Code of Conduct, honoring our commitment to the ongoing safety of our student body. As a reminder, if you see something, say something!”

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Crash claims life of Dawson County High student

News

Elizabeth Sheer

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A two-vehicle accident on Hwy. 53 near Buddy Burt Road claimed the life of 18-year-old Grace Elizabeth Sheer Monday morning.

Sheer was a senior at Dawson County High School and the 2017 Homecoming Queen.

A Georgia State Patrol incident report indicated she was driving a 2002 Honda CR-V west on Hwy. 53 shortly before 8 a.m. At the same time, a 2017 Peterbilt tractor trailer, driven by Edwin Thomas Kincannon Jr., was traveling east on Hwy. 53.

Sheer failed to negotiate the curve in the road, over-corrected to the left and lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle then began to rotate counterclockwise and crossed the center line. Sheer’s vehicle entered the eastbound lane of Hwy. 53 and was struck in the passenger side of the vehicle by the front of the tractor trailer.

Sheer’s Honda traveled off the south shoulder, struck an embankment with the rear of the vehicle and came to an uncontrolled final rest facing east on the south shoulder of Hwy. 53. The tractor trailer came to a final rest with the front of the vehicle in the westbound lane of Hwy. 53, while the trailer came to a rest in the eastbound lane.

Kincannon, 42, of Cartersville, was not injured in the crash. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

The Dawson County School Board observed a moment of silence in memory of Sheer at Monday’s meeting. School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs said the school’s crisis response team is available to meet with students who need help to cope with the tragedy, and he asked those in attendance to remember Sheer family members in their prayers.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Pre-season football interview with Dawson County Tigers head coach Sid Maxwell

Dawson County High School, Dawson County High School, Sports, Team FYN Sports

Sid Maxwell is going into his fourth season as head coach for the Dawson County Tigers, and in those four years he has helped to create a successful program that reaches beyond the high school team and into the feeder programs. His philosophy? Three words: trust, care and commitment.

“It’s just a system that young men know that whatever we do we’re going to try to make them a better athlete,” said Coach Maxwell. “They also know I’m never gonna ask them to do anything that doesn’t have a purpose.”

The Tigers went 10-2 in their season last year, but Coach Maxwell knows how the keep the guys humble. Especially for seniors who may be stepping up for their final season.

“Some people…you put that crown on their head and they feel like they’re better than everyone else because you made them a leader. When they raise their head up, what happens to their crown? It falls off.” said Coach Maxwell. “So the guys we anoint going into this season are going to be the ones that keep the crown on their head.”

Dawson County Tigers fans and high school football fans alike can watch the full interview below!

https://youtu.be/gD5xphYtEso

Dawson Board of Education meeting Tuesday

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County School Board members are expected to vote on several key action items during their March meeting Tuesday, including legislative positions that must be adopted prior to the Georgia School Boards Association meeting in April. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education Building, 28 Main Street.

Legislative proposals the Board will consider include:

  • An examination of the impact of the five-mil share on local school system funding;
  • Support for a Constitutional amendment to allow local legislation to include maintenance and operations as an allowable use of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax;
  • Consideration to offer three high school diploma options: college prep, CTAE and special education;
  • Urging the state to review of the number of assessments required and to limit the number of assessments essential to monitor student learning and inform instruction.

Legislative proposals must be adopted by the Board at an official meeting before the Georgia School Boards Association meeting in April.

District internet use has increased significantly with the 1:1 rollout. The Board will consider two requests for proposals (RFP) that met the criteria for increased availability. Board members will vote on an evaluation team recommendation to approve Georgia Communications Cooperative (NGN) at a cost of $4,100.

A number of teams and organizations will receive special recognition for achievements, including:

  • Students selected for the All-State Chorus;
  • RES Perennial Math;
  • DCMS Robotics Team Recognition;
  • DCHS Boys Basketball Recognition;
  • DCHS Girls Basketball Recognition;
  • DCHS Wrestling Recognition;
  • Positive Behavior Intervention and Support School Awards for FY18;
  •  Maintenance and Custodial RecognitionSupporting Docs/Links attaced to this item;
  • School Board Appreciation

Dawson County High School Art Teacher Jennifer Gray will share how she is using iPads to create innovative, dynamic and engaging art lessons for students.

Dawson County School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs will then present his report before the Board adjourns to go into executive session.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

Lady Tigers Edge Out Lady Rebels

Sports, Team FYN Sports

On Tuesday the 25th of September the Lady Tigers traveled to Fannin Co. High School to face off with the Lady Rebels in the last game of the 2018 regular season. The Lady Tigers coming in to this game 9-12 overall and 5-7 in region play were looking to notch one more win before the region tournament starts up in the next few days.

The Lady Rebels started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning putting up 1 run and another  in the second to carry a 2-0 lead heading in to the top of the third.  Dawson didn’t stay quiet for long with 2 runs of their own by way of 1 walk, a single and a pass ball to tie up the game at 2 each.  The fourth and fifth innings had the Lady Tigers strike again.  The 4th inning runs came on 2 singles(Martinez and Henson) and 1 error.  The 1 run in the 5th  proved to be huge for Dawson as it would turn out to be the difference in the game.  Brandi Williams reached on a bunt single and scored later in the inning on a Fannin error.  The 5-2 score held until the bottom of the seventh when the Lady Rebels made a last inning charge with 2 runs falling short for a 5-4 Dawson victory.  Maggie Schandera took the circle for Dawson for the 7 inning victory.  On 79 pitches Schandera allowed 4 runs( all 4 unearned) on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts.

Carol Drake, Brandi Williams, Olivia Martinez and Bella Henson led at the plate for Dawson.  Kaselyn Martin and Kendall Martin both coaxed walks for the Lady Tigers.  The Lady Tigers will take the field on Saturday morning in game 1 of the region tournament against these same Lady rebels.

Tigers look Good To End Spring

Sports, Team FYN Sports

Ending the 2018 Spring Football regiment, the Tigers made their way up Hwy 53 to face the Dragons of Pickens County in the newly renovated Dragons Stadium.  The 2018 Tigers were able to get a look at a some new faces in positions that were left void after last year.  With the loss of the 2017 seniors, Coach Sid Maxwell made a few moves to fill some very important holes in his offense.

Sevaughn Clark

The first of those was in Sevaughn Clark stepping in to the quarterback position.  Clark saw a little action in the 2017 season and with the game at Pickens, it looks to be his when they play for real in August.  Clark preformed very well as he provided most of the Tigers running attack.  With accuracy, Clark can strike up the band this year giving the Tigers a deep ball option in an offense that keeps you on your toes with the running game. The second major move is T.J. Wilson switching to the other side of the ball.  At defensive end last year Wilson set the pace for the rest of the Tigers in their attack on the opposing offense.  Wilson at running back and tight end for the spring game preformed as if he had played there for many seasons.  This move will give the Tigers a sizable threat with the strong ball carrier and the hands to catch the ball.

Ethan Cameron

In the receiving corps, three young men proved they are ready.  Ethan Cameron, Hunter Barron and Dakota Sonnichsen ran excellent routes and had the receptions to keep the Tigers in the fight. Over all the Tigers looked really good on defense as well and have all summer for Coach Maxwell to work on the few shortcomings in the game against the Dragons.  In a spring scrimmage where its more about seeing what you have and what you need to work on, the points on the board are still important to some.  The Tigers fell in this one by a score 42-31 to the Dragons of Pickens County.

 

Great defensive play

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