Dawson County's soon-to-be graduates were recently showered with praise and money.

On May 8, Dawson County High School held its annual Honors Night for graduating seniors. During the event, 95 seniors took home $200,000 in total scholarships.

Among them was Dawson County STAR student and national Future Business Leader of America president Cole Simmons, who was awarded the Dawson County Democratic Party's JP Livaditis Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $500.

"His essay was on the Affordable Care Act. He stressed the need to study health care costs and improve on the ACA so everyone has access to affordable health care," said Dawson County Democratic Party Chairwoman Bette Holland. "He said: ‘No one should have to die because human greed values profit over people.'"

Another organization giving out scholarships was adult literacy advocate R.E.A.D., who awarded two $1,000 scholarships, one to Addison Welch and the other to Logan Hayes.

"Addison plans to attend Oxford at Emory and Logan will be attending the University of North Georgia," said R.E.A.D. Executive Director Sandy Lipkowitz. "They are both wonderful and deserving young people."

Finally, the Big Canoe Chapel awarded continuing education scholarships in bulk to Dawson County seniors, with 77 students receiving a total of $88,000

"This year marks the 32nd successive year that Big Canoe Chapel has been able to offer scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Pickens and Dawson counties," said Lipkowitz, also acting as a spokesperson for Big Canoe.

"The scholarship program was first introduced in 1982 with the goal of encouraging high school students to attend college. Since that date, over 2,000 students have received awards totaling over $2,000,000."

The Dawson County class of 2014 will take their final walk and receive their diplomas during the 8:30 a.m. ceremony on May 24 at Tigers Stadium.