Dawson County Chamber President Christie Haynes proves drive and hard work pays off at a young age.

Haynes was recently named the 2016 Young Alumni Award recipient from The University of Georgia.

The award was presented at the UGA Alumni Association's annual awards luncheon April 15.

"The Alumni Awards Luncheon is an important opportunity each year for the UGA community to reflect on the contributions made by individuals to the success of the University of Georgia," said Meredith Gurley Johnson, executive director of the UGA Alumni Association. "These award recipients are role models for other alumni in that they have remained connected to the university, and they have identified ways in which they can promote student success and provide financial and volunteer support for the great things happening on campus."

Haynes, who graduated from UGA in 2010, was honored for her academic career and high level of extracurricular involvement as a student and also as an alumna.

Double-majoring in history and political science, Haynes was a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta and Omicron Delta Kappa.

She was also president of the Student Alumni Council and helped resurrect the UGA traditions handbook, the G Book, which is distributed to 5,000 incoming students each year.

As an alumna, she has served as president of UGA's Southwest Georgia Alumni Chapter and is the immediate past-president of the School of Public and International Affairs' alumni board.

She is also a member of the UGA 40 under 40 Class of 2012.

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair Jo Brewer said the board of directors is thrilled to have someone of Haynes' abilities leading its organization.

"We are so fortunate to have someone of Christie's caliber as our chamber president," Brewer said. "This well-deserved award highlights Christie's many talents and her professionalism in all that she endeavors. How wonderful for her that UGA recognized her many valuable contributions as an alumna with their 2016 Young Alumni Award. It is a great honor."

Board chairman Steve Melching echoed Brewer's words.

"Christie's many contributions to the Dawson County Chamber and to the Dawson community at large are truly appreciated," he said.

To Haynes the honor was especially meaningful.

"The University of Georgia, much like Dawson County, is home to me and will always hold a special place in my heart," she said. "To receive this honor from a place that I value so greatly means more to me than words can express."