JEREMY GEORGE, left, and Adam Chen were the first West Plains High School students to earn their Associate of Arts in General Studies degree through Missouri State University-West Plains’ Early Degree Program.  They received their degrees Saturday, May 14, at the university’s commencement ceremony at the West Plains Civic Center.  The pilot program, which began in fall 2009, gives selected top sophomores at West Plains High School the opportunity to complete the associate degree during their junior and senior years while fulfilling the requirements for high school graduation at the same time.  Both George and Chen will receive their high school diplomas Thursday evening during West Plains High School’s graduation ceremony at the civic center.  (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)