State and local officials gathered early this week to celebrate the successful opening of the Mountain Education Charter High School in Dawson County that is operating out of Hightower Academy. The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce welcomed State Representative Kevin Tanner, Dawson County District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett, Superintendent Damon Gibbs and others on Nov. 28 to the Hightower location. Approved by the Dawson County Board of Education in July, the school is a self-paced public high school that grants regular Georgia high school diplomas.