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Dana Stone (center), of Dunn, was honored for academic achievement by the North Carolina Community College System during its 2011 Excellence Event, ‘The Great Within the 58,’ on April 14 at N.C. State University. Presenting the award plaque and medallion were NCCCS President Scott Ralls (left) and Hilda Pinnix-Ragland (right), chair of the State Board of Community Colleges. Stone enrolled at Central Carolina Community College after losing her job of 24 years during the recession. She has maintained a high grade point average while serving in a variety of student organizations. She achieved this while overcoming a learning disability and facing the challenges of being a single mother. The NCCCS honored one student from each of its 58 community colleges during the event.