About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2022)
SPORTS DawsonNewscom Wednesday, November 30, 2022 facebook.com/dawsonnews twitter.com/dawsonnews DCHS football photographer stepping down By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com Years ago, Paige Sweany was a young mother who had to scrape up hundreds of dollars to have professional photos of her first daughter taken. After reflecting on those experiences, she would make it her mission to provide local families with affordable options to cap ture timeless memories — by becoming a profession al photographer herself. Sweany began her pho tography career by focus ing on new mothers and their babies, which helped her set a baseline for her prices going forward. “It’s not about the money,” Sweany said. “I never wanted anybody not to have pictures because they couldn’t afford them.” She would later trans late her mission to another subject entirely in 2010, when she became the chief photographer for the Dawson County High School football team. After 13 seasons of countless games, practices and treasured moments, Sweany stepped down from that role and is pass ing the torch to a new group of photographers. Over the years, the many young players who showed their excitement and appreciation for her work served as her moti vation. “It’s really the kids who made me stay,” Sweany said. “It means the world to me that the kids acknowledge, recognize and appreciate me.” Though Sweany’s most recognized photographs are of the varsity team on Friday nights, her work has spanned a large swath of ages from the youth levels up. While she watched her younger daughter go through her academic career, Sweany has wit nessed the growth of many Dawson football players from their young est days to graduation. For her, serving the community — especially players whose parents may not always be in attendance — has given her a sense of great fulfill ment. “We have some really cool kids in the communi ty,” Sweany said. “Seeing them succeed, grow, score their first touchdown — it’s just cool to be there in See Sweany 13B Paige Sweany spent the past 13 sea sons docu menting the Dawson County foot ball pro grams through her photographs. Photo courtesy of Paige Sweany Dawson alums still feel programs influence in college By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com Over a year ago, former Dawson County varsity football player Bailey Dameron contemplated where he want ed to continue his academic and athletic career on the collegiate level. Having experienced little playing time his first three years of high school, he was having a breakout season at wide receiver as a senior and garnered several offers. But in truth, there was only ever one choice he wanted to make — a fact directly influenced by another former Tigers standout in Dakohta Sonnichsen. As a 2021 graduate, Sonnichsen was already launching his college career at Taylor University in Indiana when Dameron was in the midst of his senior season. For both players — and many others in the Dawson County football program — their lives had been impacted by coach and motivator Tony Kijanko. But for two years before his senior season, Dameron had looked up to Sonnichsen — and the latter’s work ethic, character and confidence to play far from home for college made an indelible mark on Dameron. “Watching Dakohta make his choice to go far from home and truly betting on himself is what impacted my choice more than anything else,” Dameron said. “He inspired me to take a chance on myself and to do what is best for me.” Not only did Sonnichsen serve as a motivator to Dameron, he served as an example through his character. While the two worked hard every day to improve on the football field, they also experienced spiritual growth — with the latter ultimately influencing Dameron to follow in Sonnichsen’s footsteps to attend a Christian universi ty. Amid all the offers he received, Dameron jumped at the chance to emu late Sonnichsen after earning a chance to sign with Missouri Baptist University. The combination of traits exhibited by Sonnichsen over the years helped push Dameron to maximize his poten tial both as a player and person. “I just have this memory of looking down the weight room and seeing Dakohta pushing himself in the work outs. That set a new standard for me on how I should be working out,” Dameron said. “He’s very respectful and holds himself to a high standard. He’s influenced me on and off the field.” But what made the connection between the two unique was that Sonnichsen was not one to declare him self a leader or mentor. Instead, his actions spoke far louder than any words could. “I was unaware of the way I was being an influence for Bailey,” Sonnichsen said. “I tried carrying myself in a manner of respect for others and trying to be the best leader for those around me that I could.” What ultimately tied the two players together was the influence of Kijanko — one of the varsity team’s offensive line coaches whose true role on the team reaches far deeper than his job title. For Sonnichsen, joining Kijanko’s post-practice sessions helped him build the traits that in turn impacted Dameron. “After practices, we would meet with a group [Kijanko] started called Men of See Influence 13B Rio White Dawson County News Trey Harvey prepares to shoot the ball against Model on Monday, Nov. 21. He scored 21 points. Player Of The Week! Trey Harvey The player of the week is Trey Harvey, who scored 21 points in the Tigers’ win over Model. Sponsored by: Atfr h Certified Collision Center 706-216-0992 We’ve Gone Green! “We will be here when you need us. M-F: 8:00 - 5:00 130 Industrial Park Rd, Dawsonville Dawsonville’s Premier Collision Center BASKETBALL Harvel, Reed lead boys to win; girls top Towers By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com The Dawson County boys and girls varsi ty basketball teams wrapped up the Roger Slaton Memorial in style on Monday, Nov. 21, with the girls displaying a complete per formance in a 72-4 win over Towers before the boys showed their determination in a 71-65 win over Model. With both Tigers teams looking to build momentum going into the Thanksgiving break, the coaches sought consistency from their players. While the Lady Tigers used the game against Towers as an opportunity to fine- tune their offense with the first region game looming, the boys team were facing a See Basketball 13B Learned lessons on display Bailey Dameron lines up at wide receiver during a Missouri Baptist football game. Photo courtesy of Missouri Baptist Athletics
