From financial issues to academic problems.... Youngstown City Schools have had their share of hardships in recent years. But this afternoon a milestone for a fairly new school project....The Youngstown Early College.

"AUGUST 20TH 2004 WE HAD OUR FIRST CLASS COME IN FROM OUR YOUNGSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP."--Dr. David Sweet President Youngstown State University

The ribbon was cut nearly four years ago on the Youngstown Early College. A partnership between the Youngstown City Schools and Youngstown State University. Students for the first time were able to earn college credit while working toward their high school diplomas. And now four years later that first class is walking across the stage receiving their diplomas. Doctor David Sweet, President of Youngstown State University tells us the program has come a long way in a short amount of time.

"WELL WE'VE LEARNED A LOT. WE WERE THE FIRST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN OHIO TO SET UP A PARTNERSHIP OF THIS NATURE WITH A CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO FOUR YEARS LATER WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THE RESULTS. AND AS I SAID IT'S A HISTORIC MOMENT, IT COMES AS WE CELEBRATE OUR CENTENNIAL. AND WHAT A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN OUR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THIS AREA."--Dr. David Sweet President Youngstown State University

There are 40 students that have received diplomas as part of the first class of the Youngstown early college. Four of those have already received an associates degree from Youngstown state university.

"THESE STUDENTS NOT ONLY ARE ENROLLED IN A HIGH SCHOOL, BUT THEY ALSO OBTAIN COLLEGE CREDIT. FOUR OF THEM RECEIVED OVER 60 SEMESTER HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT AND THEY RECEIVED THEIR ASSOCIATES DEGREES YESTERDAY."--Dr. David Sweet President Youngstown State University

All the students Dr. David Sweet President Youngstown State University will receive scholarships to attend Youngstown State if they wish to continue their education there.