Business owners, dignitaries and other active community members attended the Swain County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet at Fryemont Inn Thursday, April 24.
Sonya and Neil Blankenship received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award and Gianna Carson was awarded the Dennis White Business and Innovation Award.
"The Blankenships represent the absolute best of our community and then some," said Monica Brown, Chamber President. "As they move into retirement they can rest easy knowing that their legacy and framework will endure in our community."
The Blankenships will retire from Swain High School this year.
Neil Blankenship has taught at Swain County Schools for 32 years. He coached for 29 of those years. He has been the athletic director since 2012.
Sonya Blankenship has been employed with Swain County Schools since 1996.
She began my career at SCHS as a physical education teacher, head volleyball and softball coach. She was the head volleyball coach until 2014. In 2013, Sonya Blankenship became the district’s healthful living coordinator. She held the dual role of HLC and assistant principal in 2014. She has served as Swain High School principal since 2018.
Sonya Blankenship will retire alongside her husband this year.
“Our daughter is graduating and we plan to celebrate her more than celebrating retirement,” she said.
The couple was celebrated for their many community contributions through the years. Children Cameron and Arizona Blankenship spoke on behalf of their parents Thursday.
Carson has owned La Dolce Vita Bakery since 2012.
“I was teaching school and I always wanted to have a restaurant,” said Carson. “I love coffee, food and people. We roast our own coffee. We buy beans package it ourselves. We have signature entrées and house made pastries and cinnamon rolls.”
Carson prides herself on having a gathering space for the local breakfast crowd and visitors.
Being a business owner in town has come with its challenges.
“I’ve seen a resonance in downtown area,” said Carson, pointing to an increase in businesses and challenges. “I tore the previous building down. In 2019, we built this and extended it back and up.”
Above the business, Carson owns two vacation rentals.
“Two months later, COVID happened,” she said. “Then N.C. DOT started working on roads and our water bills spiked. Since COVID, there have been numerous challenges… Helene. I think winning stemmed from all the stuff that happened.”
Carson reacted by forming a town merchants’ group.
“I created it to increase communication between the town, business owners and local merchants,” Carson said.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Gianna through the years and I admire the work she’s done with La Dolce Vita,” said Brown.
“These last few years have been challenging for all of us and especially for Gianna. When the time got tough, she got tougher. She created new ways to do business and enhanced her already wonderful bakery and coffee shop. She took on the department of transportation after the loss of her parking spaces, she spoke up for the in public forums when it was needed and she helped form the Bryson City Merchants Association. The Chamber of Commerce is proud of all her work and delighted to present her with the 2025 Dennis White Memorial Business and Innovation Award.”
The Dolce owner is the wife of Brad Carson. Together, they share three kids.