From left: Dr. Cheryl Bremer, Sarah Fields Niemi, Sarah Miller Rosawarski, Dennis Glass welcome students to Transition Exploration Day. Photo provided by Grace College.

WINONA LAKE — The Grace College Student Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children announced its hosting of Transition Exploration Day and a prom dress drive.

CEC will host the fifth-biennial Transition Exploration Day at the Grace College Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, 10:30 a.m – 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7.

This is an opportunity for high school students with disabilities to explore post-secondary options that are available in the community, said a news release from Grace College.

The event will begin with a keynote address by Mr. Brant Hansen, an author, nationally syndicated radio host and advocate for healing children with correctible disabilities through CURE International. Hansen addresses issues of public policy, culture, sports, faith and Asperger’s Syndrome, of which he has been diagnosed.

Following the keynote address, students will visit a Transition Exhibition where area agencies, educational institutions, and businesses will have display booths for opportunities and resources available as the students plan for post-graduation.

The event serves more than 200 students in the community and is planned and executed by Grace College’s CEC.

“Transition Exploration Day really encompasses all aspects of our CEC chapter’s mission. We are able to serve individuals with disabilities in our community, bring disability awareness to our campus, and provide professional development experience to our Grace students who are a part of CEC,” said Hannah Rose, CEC president and education student at Grace.

In addition to Transition Exploration Day, CEC students are gearing up for the local Night to Shine event on Feb. 7, hosted by the YMCA and local churches. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. CEC members volunteer during the event and make each individual feel special on their night to shine.

“When Grace students spend time with these individuals, it brings them so much joy and makes them feel loved. CEC events have certainly been a highlight of my time at Grace,” said Rose.

CEC also will host a Prom Dress Drive to provide free dresses for the attendees.

The Drive will take place at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Dr., Winona Lake, Saturday, Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m. Dresses may also be dropped off at the Grace College School of Education office prior to Jan. 25.

The School of Education is located on the third floor of Mount Memorial Hall, 901 College Ave., Winona Lake. Contact Courtney Lemler at [email protected] for more information about the Prom Dress Drive.

From left: Allison Zdenek, Emmalee Overmyer, Megan Gipson, Madison Gipson, Mandy Lessick, Megan Bray, Katie Lade with dresses from last year’s Prom Dress Drive. Photo provided by Grace College.