SANFORD - "When you apply yourself, the sky is the limit," said Dakia Cook, one of three student speakers Thursday at the Medical Programs Graduation of Central Carolina Community College's Continuing Education Department.

The event filled the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center with family and friends of the graduates who enthusiastically cheered and applauded their successes.

Cook, of Chatham County, is already a respiratory therapist, but came back to school to pursue her goal of becoming a sleep disorders technician.

"Enrolling was one of the best decisions I made in my life," she told the gathering. "CCCC provided the opportunity to see my dreams in action."

The college's Continuing Education Department awards hundreds of certificates in medical programs each year, with most of the graduates going into the local workforce. Approximately 350 students completed certificate work during the spring semester.

At the graduation, certificates were awarded in Direct Care Worker, Direct Care Basics, EKG Technician, Medical Office Transcription Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Nurse Aide I and II, Nurse Aide I Refresher, Optometric Assistant, Sleep Disorders Technician, and Special Needs Technician. About 175 graduating students attended the graduation.

Ezra Harmon, of Harnett County, and Dana Cramer, of Wake County, also delivered graduation addresses. Harmon, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, received his Nurse Aide I certificate. He plans to enroll in the college's Associate Degree Nursing program. Harmon got a cheer from the students when he told them, "Let's go out there and show North Carolina what we're made of!"

Cramer had been an automotive repair manager for 11 years when he lost his job and decided to pursue a very different career path. He received his Pharmacy Technician certificate and plans to continue his schooling to become a pharmacist. He thanked the college and instructors for helping to prepare for that change.

"Attending CCCC was very special to me," he said.

As the graduates' names were called, they walked across the stage to receive their certificate from college President Bud Marchant and a warm handshake or hug from the faculty members who had been there for them. The Medical Programs coordinators pinned a Nurse Aide pin on each of the NA graduates.

Nena Leake, college administrative assistant in Harnett County, performed for the graduation, singing, "There's a Hero." The song inspires listeners with the idea that, if they look inside their hearts, they will always find a hero with the courage to go on and achieve. The graduates identified with the song and gave her a standing ovation.

At the end of the program, CCCC Dean of Continuing Education announced that Judy Farmer, the college's long-time Lee County Medical Programs coordinator, is retiring. In response, the students rose to their feet and applauded all that Farmer has meant to the college and the students she has served over the years.

Huff urged the graduates to continue their educations, to remember that CCCC is here for them. In closing, she quoted philosopher Blaise Pascal: "[Your] achievements of today are but the sum total of [your] thoughts of yesterday... you will be tomorrow where the thoughts of today take you."

Many of the graduates nodded. Their thoughts of yesterday had inspired them to achieve. They left the graduation relishing the present, but with thoughts already focused on their future success and service.