The Moore County Literacy Council hosted its year-end potluck dinner celebration Wednesday, Aug. 19. More than 80 tutors and adult students gathered at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Hall to receive awards.

Susan Sherard introduced the program for the evening by sharing that the students in 2008-2009 surpassed the goals set by the state. Overall, 80 percent of MCLC students demonstrated improvement.

Sixteen students graduated from the English as a Second Language program and will begin the new school year in the Adult Basic Education curriculum. Two students graduated from the Adult Basic Program and will continue as Goal-Based Education students in 2009-2010. A student was chosen from each of the programs as having been the most improved student.

Tutors Nita Brunner and Sarah Runnion-Bareford announced the names of three students who received 100-hour certificates, three students who earned 200 hour certificates and one student who received a certificate for over 300 hours of instruction. These awards honored a particularly strong personal commitment by these students to their studies. Ten winners of the annual writing contest were also announced.

Each student was congratulated by Pam Giambelluca, program director, and Susan Sherard, executive director. Individual hand-stitched book marks , created by the Sandhills Needlers Guild, were given to each student.

The program concluded with Twana McKnight, Moore County Literacy Council president, thanking staff, tutors and students for their hard work this year.

"If you would like to become a volunteer involved in teaching someone to read or read better or to learn the English language, please call 692-5954," says a spokesman.