About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2024)
Wednesday, January 24,2024 dawsonnews.com I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I 3 A Erica Jones Dawson County News Cael Hand, center right, has been selected as Dawson County’s 2024 STAR student, and he has selected John “Dusty” Skorich, center left, as his STAR teacher. FROM 1A STAR “I feel very honored — I’ve been taking the SAT test once a year, and this is the one that I actually studied for so it was nice to see a big improvement,” Hand said. “It feels pretty good.” After being chosen as the STAR student, the student then selects the STAR teacher, or the teacher they believe has had the biggest impact on them during their high school experience. Hand selected DCHS engineering teacher John “Dusty” Skorich, who he has had for sever al classes throughout his high school career, as his STAR teacher. “Mr. Skorich is unlike any teach er here at the high school; I just have so much fun in his classes,” Hand said. “He’s just a really fun personality to be around, and in an engineering class that’s awesome.” Being chosen by his student as the STAR teacher, Skorich said, is not only a huge honor but also a confirmation that he must be doing something right as a teacher. “You always wonder where you rate with your students, and I’m glad I finished on the positive side,” Skorich said. “With the stu dents we have here in Dawson County it’s pretty easy to be the good teacher — we have so many kids who come in and give it their all and put in their effort, and when you have a class full of great kids it’s hard not to be a good teacher.” And he’s incredibly proud of Hand, Skorich said, who has been involved in his school not only aca demically but in many other ways as well. Throughout his high school career, Hand has participat ed in several of the DCHS athletic programs like cross country, track and tennis, several of the school’s clubs like Beta Club, NHS, FBLA and TSA, and he was even selected to take part in the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership program during his junior year. “Cael is an exceptional student and he really does check all the boxes — he’s engaged athletically here at the school, he’s engaged academically at the school, he’s in extracurriculars, he’s always will ing to join in — he really exempli fies what it is to embrace your high school experience and get the most out of it,” Skorich said. After graduating this spring, Hand plans to attend Georgia Technical College in the fall, where he plans to major in aerospace engineering. “My ultimate dream is to find a way to go to space; I think with my skill set I can do that by being an engineer for a space station or something,” Hand said. As the district’s STAR student, Hand will have the opportunity to attend a regional meeting at UNG in the spring, where he will give a speech introducing himself and compete against students from other districts in the area for the tide of the region’s STAR student. If he wins the region competition, he will then go on to contend for the honor of being named the state’s STAR student. As Hand’s STAR teacher, Skorich will contin ue on with him through each level of competition. Gaines pursues 3rd term as county commissioner By Julia Hansen juliahansen@dawsonnews.com A familiar face is running for a third term on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners. Current District 2 Commissioner, business leader, hus band and father Chris Gaines is announcing his re-election candidacy, according to a recent press release. Gaines is currently serving his second term on the board. He was first elected to the seat in 2016. District 2 encompasses the heart of Dawson County, including much of the area surrounding Dawsonville. Gaines is a partner with PointeNorth Insurance Group and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Economic Development Board and the ACCG State Mental Health Board. He is also a trustee and deacon at First Baptist Church Dawsonville and a graduate and later associate leader of the Dawson Leadership Program, among other roles and recognitions. In his press release, Gaines highlighted his accessibility to county citizens to address issues or questions they may have and his willingness to hear feedback as the board looks at daily and long-term planning and challenges for the county. “I love Dawson County and have lived here for over 24 years. This is where I have chosen to raise my family and work to make a positive difference,” Gaines said. “Following in the footsteps of my father, who is a retired pastor, being a servant of others runs in my blood, and it’s what motivates me to invest my time and resources to serve the citizens of this great community.” “Successfully delivering quality service to the commu nity starts with our frontline employees that work hard day in and day out,” Gaines said. “I believe my leadership, experience and active engagement strengthens, supports and motivates this quality group of true servants in their role of serving citizens.” In the press release, Dawson County business owner Carter Hallowell praised Gaines’ accessibility and service to the county, while local citizen Bear Bryan commended Gaines’ ability to quickly respond and help resolve issues. “Chris Gaines is a great commissioner and has served with distinction and integrity,” Ga. District 9 Rep. Will Wade said. “He is always willing to reach out and look for ways to collaborate and communicate with me as your state representative. Chris is a true friend and he has my full support.” Incumbent Republican congressman and U.S. District 7 candidate Dr. Rich McCormick called Gaines “one of the most engaged servants of the people I have ever met.” “His authentic love for his constituents is evident through his thoughtful approach to every problem. I couldn’t think of a person more deserving of my full sup port and admiration,” McCormick said in the press release. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your District 2 county commissioner for the last several years,” Gaines added, “and for your prayers and support as I work hard to continue in this role for you.” DCN will continue to follow the commissioner elections and other local political races in 2024. Visit us for a FREE COOKIE Experience our warm, gooey, award-winning MILK CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE when you visit us in store Dawsonville Crumbl 12 Dawson Market Way Unit 200, Dawsonville, GA 30534 One chocolate chip cookie per coupon. Expires 2/10/24 7(F finmvERSflfty This is to commemorate seventy years of marriage for Bobby and Oretta Trammel on January 22, 2024. This 70th Anniversary comes with their continuing love for each other and for the LORD. Through the trials and tribulations there have been many blessings. The greatest joy has been in sharing Christian Love that could only come from God. They have been blessed with three sons and their families that have shared in this love. Their first son was Bobby (Donald) Trammel, Jr. who is deceased. He was employed by Forsyth County Board of Education at the time of his death. Their second son is Jon Clifford Trammel, married to Pam Teems Trammel residing in Cumming with their son Matthew. Their daughter, Julie, lives in Grand Junction, Colorado. Their third son, David Rex Trammel is married to Anita Smith Trammel. Rex has two children, Ashley Trammel and Adam Trammel. Adam has two children, Mason and Camilla Trammel. Rex has a step-daughter, Amy and her husband, Brian Collins. Rex followed in the family businesses, Sawnee Feed & Supply and Sawnee Quality Foods, throughout his working years. Bobby and Oretta would like to thank God and the members and pastors of Haw Creek Baptist Church in Cumming for being a shining light in their lives. This guidance has taught them how to share and to lead others to Christ. They and their children have received the LORD into their hearts in this loving church. This is the greatest example of God's love as a guide to a happy marriage and a happy life. Bobby and Oretta have closed their business and have moved to Daw sonville, where they are living happily in their retirement years. They are currently attending a church closer to their home, Sweetwater Baptist Church. The members and Pastor Tim Hubbard are sharing and caring Christians that are a joy to them in this stage of their lives. Pastor Hubbard stated, "What an accomplishment, 70 years. We at Sweetwater Baptist Church want to thank the Lord for leading Bobby and Oretta here to join in with our Church Family, so much that we have made them honorary members. We would like to wish them a Happy 70th Wedding Anniversary. In God's Word it says,"... Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:4-6 KJV)."" Bobby and Oretta would like to share this part of their lives in a hope to inspire others to surrender themselves to God, and to attend church as God directs. The bible states "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).There is no better way to have a happy marriage.
