By DJ MOORE
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Throughout middle school, Colby Dalton was involved with baseball and track. He wanted to be different when he got into high school.
When entering his freshman year at Social Circle High School, Dalton wondered what other sports would interest him. Thanks to a friend, Dalton found his desire to play tennis.
“My friend Cara Mayfield brought up the idea of tennis,” Dalton said. “As a freshman, I was worried about getting started in an unfamiliar sport so late in life, but my friends helped convince me to join. So I tried out and surprisingly made the team.”
Four years later, Dalton has served as captain for the Redskins’ tennis team. Though Dalton found that being a captain isn’t always easy, he understood it comes with a great responsibility.
“I enjoy being trusted with a position like team captain,” Dalton said. “Although it’s difficult sometimes for more reluctant players to follow my lead, it’s been an experience that has allowed me to grow more confident in myself and my leadership abilities.”
Social Circle has benefitted from being in a new region this year as well as having 14 seniors on this year’s squad, including Dalton.
Having both aspects of the team in the Redskins’ favor has helped boost their goals for this season.
“A combination of these two factors has paved the way for much success this season, and a serious shot at region champs and a deep state playoff run,” Dalton said.
After high school, Dalton aspires to attend either the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech to pursue a major in architecture with a minor in urban planning. Dalton’s long-term goal is to be his own boss by opening an architectural firm or being a freelance architect.
Dalton has also been involved at Social Circle outside of tennis. He’s competed on the cross country team all four years and been a part of the Beta Club, National Honors Society and the French National Honors Society.
And with him preparing for the real world, Dalton believes that Social Circle High School has been beneficial to his growth on and off the tennis court.
“Social Circle has provided me with a world-class education and emotional support structure unparalleled to anywhere else. Social Circle’s size helps students not get lost in the clutter of high school,” Dalton said. “The teaching staff at Social Circle have pushed me to acquire excellence in my school work, and are a large part of who I am today.”
