SANFORD - Graduating students gave a shout-out for themselves with a high-reaching arm-pumping at Central Carolina Community College's June 19 Adult High School/GED graduation.

"I am so grateful," said graduation student speaker Virginia Osborne, of Harnett County. "I can't wait to start CCCC in the fall and earn my college transfer to continue my education and become a meteorologist. Thank you, Class of 2014, for your dedication -we did it!"

Osborne first came to the Adult High School program in 2012, but dropped out. She returned in 2014 and completed all the courses in six months with a grade point average that earned her the college's Academic Excellence in High School-Harnett County Award.

Retiring CCCC Chatham County Provost Karen Allen welcomed those gathered in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center for the graduation.

"This is your night," she told the graduating class. "Eleanor Roosevelt said, 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' I wish you good luck and many, many wonderful dreams."

Seventy students completed their high school or GED diplomas during the spring semester. That achievement was a long-desired goal for many of the graduates.

"I never thought I'd be graduating later than I should, but I took dead-end roads that led nowhere," student graduation speaker Andrew Holder, of Lee County, told the Class of 2014. "Each graduate showed that we had the heart to overcome obstacles and reach our goal. Life is not about getting there first, but getting there."

As each graduates' name was called, each walked proudly across the stage, accompanied by cheers and applause from the audience. CCCC President Bud Marchant and college trustee Susan Laudate shook hands with each of them, congratulating them on their hard-earned achievement.

Four students received scholarships to continue their education at CCCC. Osborne, Megan Amberg, of Chatham, and Angel Edwards, of Lee, each received a $600 CCCC Foundation scholarship. Lashawn Diggs, of Lee County, received the W.B. Wicker Scholarship. The Foundation also provided a Tuition Scholarship Voucher for each graduate for one continuing education or one three-credit hour curriculum course at CCCC.

Students recognized for high academic honors were Deanna Brewer, Angel Edwards, and Maria Soto, all of Lee County; Amie Brown, Megan Galusha, Julia Nesbitt, and Allison Poole, all of Chatham County; and Virginia Osborne, of Harnett County. Vittoria Pirolli, of Harnett County, also earned a Career Readiness Certificate.

Hannah Barth, of Chatham County, dropped out of high school, but enrolled in Adult High School.

"The teachers at CCCC were really nice," the 17-year-old said. "They are determined to see you succeed. I'm going to college at CCCC and then continue my education to become an occupational therapist. I'm really proud of myself."

Rosa Durham, 54, of Lee County, had the honor of carrying the mace for the graduation. She came to the college's Adult High School program to open doors that she thought were closed years ago.

"This time, I made it," she said. "All things are possible in Christ. I knew if I stayed with him, I would succeed. Now, I would like to learn to be a dietitian."

The Adult High School and GED programs are under the college's College and Career Readiness Department. For more information, visit www.cccc.edu or call a CCR office: Chatham County (919) 545-8661 at the Siler City Center or (919) 545-8028 at the campus in Pittsboro; Harnett County (910) 814-8974; or Lee County (919) 777-7707 at the Lifelong Learning Center at W.B. Wicker Business Campus. Para mas informacion en espanol (919) 545-8667 or jherbon@cccc.edu.