20 high school seniors in Sioux Falls were recognized for what they accomplished this year. Besides finishing up their 12th Grade courses, they've also completed their first year of a 2-year degree at Southeast Technical Institute. It's part of the Learners to Leaders program.

Ashlyann Salmon is among those who got kudos from Sioux Falls school leaders Tuesday night. Besides graduating from high school this spring, Ashlyann is already one year into a business degree from Southeast Tech. She says the Learners to Leaders program has taught her responsibility. Ashlyann says, "Just because I had to handle the work load between high school classes and then my college classes."

Ashlyann chose to pursue a degree in business, because she says she can use that background in any field she chooses. She was selected from a formal application process, and through the program, got her first year of college courses fo free. Ashlyann says for her, this was a win/win situation. She says, "You make great friends, the teachers are very helpful and like I said, you can use business anywhere."

25 high school juniors who'll begin Learners to Leaders classes this summer, were welcomed to the program.