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Central Carolina Community College’s REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) course held its fall graduation Dec. 16 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, in Sanford. The 16-week class, offered in partnership with N.C. REAL Enterprises, trains students to turn their ideas for a business into a feasible business plan. The graduates were (front, left to right) Beth Hall, Aleida Hernandez, Jeremy Strothers, and Alex Benitez; with Lisa Chapman, CCCC vice president of Academic Affairs; Joni Pavlik, CCCC dean of Business and Media Technologies and Public Services; and Diane Kannarr, CCCC BLET, business and marketing instructor; back row, from left, Bob Joyce, Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce president; graduates Samantha Selix, Roshonda Peele, Elizabeth Crudup, and Brooke Paschal; and Dr. Bud Marchant, college president. At the graduation, but not pictured, were Malinda Todd, associate director of N.C. REAL Enterprises; Stelfanie Williams, CCCC vice president of Economic & Community Development; and Don Miller, GATE counselor for the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. For more information, call Kannarr, (919) 718-7247, Jim Felton, (919) 718-7545, or Gary Kibler, (919) 542-6495.

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Bob Joyce (right), president of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, presents the Chamber’s REAL Best Business Plan Award to Aleida Hernandez (left) and Samantha Selix, both of Lee County, during graduation ceremonies for Central Carolina Community College’s REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) class. The graduation took place Dec. 16 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, in Sanford. The 16-week class, offered in partnership with N.C. REAL Enterprises, trains would-be entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into a feasible business plan. The award is based on the recipient’s creative idea, attendance, homework, and business plan developed.  Hernandez’s planned business is Events to Remember; Selix’s is Paws A Day Pet Sanctuary and Clinic. For more information about REAL, contact Diane Kannarr, CCCC REAL, business and marketing instructor, (919) 718-7247; Jim Felton, Lee Small Business Center director, (919) 718-7545; or Gary Kibler, Chatham Small Business Center director, (919) 542-6495.