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Exceptional Children
take part in annual picnic
LOCAL, 2A
DawsonCountyNews
WEDNESDAY I MAY 29, 2019
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International adoptions bill passes House
Collins-authored legislation aims to ease navigation process of bringing children to US
By Megan Reed
DCN Regional Staff
Adoption legislation authored
by U.S. Rep. Doug Collins,
R-Gainesville, passed the U.S.
House of Representatives on
Monday, and the bill aims to
help families navigate the pro
cess of international adoption.
The Intercountry Adoption
Information Act
requires the Secretary of
State to include in its
annual report informa
tion about countries that
have issued new restric
tions on adoptions to the
United States. The
Department of State
would also have to pub
lish information about
department’s efforts to
work with those coun
tries to resume adoption
to the United States.
Collins said he hopes
having more informa
tion about international
adoption can help guide
families through the
process.
the “Loving families in Northeast
Collins
Georgia and across the United
States are eager to provide chil
dren with the care and support
they deserve, yet they remain
separated from their adoptive
children due to shifting interna
tional policies and information
gaps,” Collins said in a state
ment.
The legislation, co-sponsored
by U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin,
D-Rhode Island, was inspired
by a Jefferson couple, Pam and
Mark Romano. The Romanos
were in the process of adopting
two brothers from Russia when
Russia halted international
adoptions to the United States
in 2012.
“Those who are considering
See Adoption 19A
Making DCHS history
Class of 2019 becomes 100th graduating class for school
By Jessica Taylor
jtaylor@dawsonnews.com
As excited graduates
crossed the stage of the
University of North Georgia
Convocation Center last night,
history was made as the class
of 2019 became the 100th
graduating class of Dawson
County High School.
The school, which started
with five graduates in 1919,
has grown to have more than
250 graduates a century later
who amassed more than $1.1
million in scholarships, not
including 121 HOPE and 24
Zell scholarship recipients.
“As you leave here today,
know that you are part of
something very special. You
are the absolute only 100th
graduating class of Dawson
County,” Superintendent
Damon Gibbs said in his
closing remarks.
It was a special night
indeed, as the senior class was
celebrated for their school
achievements and the future
that lies ahead for them.
“In controversial opinion,
I’m sad it’s over,”
Valedictorian Natalie Peulen
said. “Gone are the days
where we have very few bills
and our parents are there to
take care of us. Gone are the
days where our whole years
were planned out for us.”
Though the high schools
days are behind them,
Peulen said graduation is
not the end.
“I don’t believe in the
whole ‘this is a new begin
ning’ or ‘this is the end.’
From here on out we’re
going to shape our own
lives. This is just a step
towards that,” she said.
As the graduates prepare
for to take their next step in
life, Salutatorian Emma
Garrett imparted some
advice: go on adventures,
try new experiences, take
risks and live and learn.
“Failure’s not the end of
Photos by Jessica Taylor Dawson County News
Principal Brody Hughes congratulates Isabella Brown. More photos page 7A.
The Dawson County High School Chamber Singers
perform the Alma Mater.
the world. In fact, it pro
vides us with an opportuni
ty to learn and to grow. The
key to failure is to always
learn,” Garrett said.
“Embrace your failures,
learn from them and live
every moment to its fullest.”
Gibbs also addressed the
graduates with life lessons
and encouraged them “don’t
be average, be excellent.”
“You will be told that suc
cessful people are lucky. Our
life is the summation of the
choices we make. There are
also consequences for those
choices, sometimes good and
sometimes bad,” Gibbs said.
“We will fail and we will
surely make mistakes, how
ever just because you fail and
someone else succeeds does
not make you a victim. You
can’t always control your cir
cumstances, but you can
always control your reaction.
Be proud of your wins and
know that luck had nothing
to do with it.
“The world does not
award participation trophies.
There are winners and losers
in almost everything. Every
winner has had a series of
losses and has grown from
the experience. You will ask
for things in this life that
you do not get. Life is not
fair and being told no or
having to tell yourself no on
occasion builds character.”
Dawson County
inmate escapes
during work release
Joshua Demarest
jdemarest@dawsonnews.com
Dawson County inmate Jeremy Lee
Pruitt-Akins escaped from a work detail
over the weekend. Pruitt-Akins was autho
rized for work release pursuant to an order
from drug court. After he was released for
work, he failed to return to custody.
The 29-year-old was arrested April 29 for
failure to comply with a treatment court.
According to the Dawson County
Sheriffs Office, he is likely took a bus from
either Atlanta or Gainesville to Colorado.
Investigators believe he is with a 27-year-
old female named Lea Marie Nicole Propst.
Under Title 16, Chapter 10, Article 3 of
the Official Code of Georgia, escaping
from prison is a misdemeanor if the inmate
was being held for a misdemeanor charge.
County seeks creation
of vaping ordinance
By Jessica Taylor
jtaylor@dawsonnews.com
The city council followed up to discuss
the impact of the vaping ordinance at its
May 20 meeting where concerns from
homeowners and businesses were addressed.
The ordinance, which went into effect May
7, limits vaping usage within 200 feet of
schools and 100 feet of churches within city
limits as well as on city property such as the
parks and city hall. Homeowners living adja
cent to city, church or school property
addressed concerns that the ordinance pro
hibits them from using e-cigarettes in their
See Vaping 15A
Potential bypass routes to be
discussed at GDOT meeting
From staff reports
The Georgia Department of
Transportation (GDOT) is conducting an
informational meeting next week regarding
the proposed new location of a bypass
route around the city of Dawsonville
between Hwy. 9 and Hwy. 53.
The meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m.
June 4 at Dawson County High School.
See GDOT15A
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9 0 9 9
Inside
Volume 4, Number 36
© 2019, Dawson County News
Dawsonville, Georgia
Church Events
3B
Classifieds
7B
Dear Abby
6B
Deaths
2A
Legals
8A
Opinion
11A
Sports
1B
3A DCHS Visual
Arts students
show off their
creations
9A Splash pad
opens June 1
on Rotary Day
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