COLUMBIA, N.C. (WITN) – Four Hyde County high school students got their college degrees even before graduating from high school.

The Columbia Early College High School class of 2024 celebrated with 42 students who were presented with high school diplomas, four of whom received associate degrees through Beaufort County Community College on May 10th.

The four were Aiden Bryant; John Etheridge, III; Brayaa Gonzalez; and Reagan Phelps.

The early college partners with BCCC in a dual enrollment program, which allows students to take college-level courses while getting their high school education.