With the end of the 2013 school year fast approaching, it is notable that eight seniors have received full or partial athletic scholarships to schools throughout the southeast. And, there's more to come, according to Grady Turner, head of the DCHS Athletics Program.

To date, these students have signed scholarships:

Jenna Abbott - Softball, Auburn University

Bruce Clark - Football, Shorter University

Tyler Dominy - Basketball, University of North Georgia

Carly Gilreath - Soccer, University of South Carolina, Aiken

Zack Martin - Football, Union College

Jade Perry - Soccer Campbellsville University

Kenna Seitz - Soccer, South Georgia College

Harley Vaughn - Football, University of West Georgia

This speaks volumes about the quality of the athletic programs at our high school. During the past 10 years, more than 40 students have signed scholarships. Twenty-three in football, five in softball, four in basketball, three in baseball, and seven in soccer.

None of this could have happened without the hard work, talent, and dedication of the coaching staff and teachers at Dawson County High School. Coaches typically are also teachers. They carry around bag loads of papers to grade in addition to their coaching responsibilities. Were it not for the commitment, long hours, sweat, and enthusiasm of our coaches, students would not be going where they are.

We applaud the positive influences they have on our children. Our coaches and teachers help chart the direction of their students life, which will lead them to recognition and better paying jobs.

DCHS soccer coaches: Jed Lacey, Chess Hamby, and Benji Edwards. Community coaches are George Graves and Dane Trosterud.

DCHS football coaches: Head Coach, Jeff Lee, Assistant Coaches Jed Lacey, Chess Hamby, Mark Thomason, John Kenny, Derek Waters. Community coaches are Jarrett Talley, George Moser, and Gary Wilson.

DCHS boys basketball coaches Thad Burgess and Wes Greer.

DCHS girls basketball coaches Steve Sweat and Anne Hyams.

Softball coaches Jimmy Pruett, Assistant Coach Nickie Rogers, and community coach Katie Powell.

Additionally, our athletes benefit tremendously from those "community coaches." These are men and women who take money out of their own pocket ($325 to be exact) to pay for 16-20 hours of coaching courses that qualify them as community coaches. And, they do it all on their own time as volunteers.

"I think we have one of the best coaching staffs in the state," said Turner. "The staff work together and work hard for the good of the kids."

Grady added that every time a scholarship is awarded, it means $30,000 - $80,000. He said the coaches are relentless about finding areas where they can get scholarship for the students.

And, for all the students leaving us at the end of the summer, we know you'll be proud to tell your new friends you're from Dawson County. We're sure going to miss you!