SILER CITY - Central Carolina Community College's Compensatory Education (CED) program at the Siler City Center held its 2011 Thanksgiving Awards Luncheon Nov. 17 at Best Foods Cafeteria in Siler City.

Students who attend CED classes at the Center and Chatham Trades were recognized for their participation and achievement. At the luncheon, they performed poetry and dance for the audience of staff, family and friends.

Motivational speakers for the event were Joanne Horak, a case manager for individuals with development disabilities; Zach Deaton, nutritionist for the Chatham County Health Department; and Phyllis Smith, nutritionist for Chatham County Cooperative Extension. Horak and Dawn Creason, a jeweler for Premier Designs, served as the mistresses of ceremony.

The program included soloist Bonnie Reeves; Erika Gabriel, health educator, Chatham County Health Department; Ebony Grisset-Delgado, director, Chatham Dance Connection; and Sara Lambert, CCCC Basic Skills coordinator for Chatham County. Also at the event were Lori Perkins, Chatham Trades CED instructor, and Della Newkirk and Martha Neal, instructors at the Siler City Center. Deborah Smith, of The Covered Event, provided the decorations.

Compensatory education provides educational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities to learn to function in society at their fullest potential. The course of study includes major subject areas, such as language, math, social science, community living, consumer education, arts, health, and vocational education. Students also receive training in computer skills, problem solving, self-advocacy, and job readiness.

"One major focus of CED is to steer the individuals to independence so that they may be as self-directed as possible," said Newkirk. "The students are given the opportunity to acquire basic functional, academic and life skills. The awards day was a great day in education as we celebrated student achievement."