COEUR d'ALENE - When Keith Lloyd-Davies enters the University of Idaho to study business this fall, he'll already have two years of college credit under his belt.

The 18-year-old Coeur d'Alene High School senior is one of eight local high school students who will receive a degree from North Idaho College on Friday, several weeks before graduating from high school.

"This has been a positive experience. I would recommend it to anyone," Lloyd-Davies said.

He's talking about North Idaho College's WINGS (WIN by getting a Good Start) dual credit program. WINGS allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in NIC classes for both high school and college credit, giving them a head start on their college careers.

Jay Lee, NIC's Vice President of Instruction, said what the dual credit grads have done is amazing.

They are completing two of life's biggest rites of passage at the same time, Lee said.

The other high school students receiving college degrees are: Brianna Espeland and Emily Wyatt

from Lake City High School; Jocelyn Bills, Samantha Martin and Katya Myers from Coeur d'Alene High School; Emily Howlett from Post Falls High School; and Chelsea Benson from Lakeside High School.

Samantha Martin decided to take dual credit classes after watching her older sister do it.

"We both thought it was a better way to complete high school," Martin said.

Martin is headed for Washington State University this fall where she plans to double-major in microbiology and zoology.

"I came into dual credit mostly because I needed a challenge,"said Brianna Espeland.

The Lake City High School senior said her parents encouraged her to go the dual credit route because it will save money on college costs, and she plans to attend med school.

"Getting two years out of the way at a cheaper price is always nice," Espeland said.

The WINGS classes are available at half the cost of normal college credit with some classes on campus, while other courses are offered at the high schools, owr via the Internet or video conferencing.

Espeland is headed to the University of Idaho or Boise State this fall, and she hopes to end up at the University of Washington. Her goal is to become a pediatrician for children with special needs.

"This is a tribute to not only our college, but the regional high schools," said NIC Dual Credit Coordinator Steve Casey. "College is expensive and we're trying to do everything we can to make it easier for everyone."

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