One Graduation Day, Two Degrees

 

Graduating High School and College on the Same Day

By the time Leighton Overall graduated high school on May 15, 2026, she had already earned her Associate in Science degree through Carteret Community College’s Career & College Promise Program, giving her an incredible head start on her future.

On May 15, 2026, Leighton Overall celebrated a milestone few students ever experience: graduating from high school and Carteret Community College on the very same day with both a high school diploma and an Associate in Science degree in hand.

For Leighton Beth Overall of Newport, learning has never been limited to one classroom, one subject, or one path. As a homeschool student, multi-sport athlete, science researcher, referee, and outdoor enthusiast, she has always approached life with curiosity and determination.

Through Carteret’s Career & College Promise program, also known as CCP, Leighton was able to turn that curiosity into an extraordinary achievement. While completing high school, she also earned college credit, explored advanced coursework, and built a strong academic foundation for her next chapter at North Carolina State University.

For Leighton, the opportunity was never simply about finishing early.

“I was more curious about other opportunities to learn,” she said. “It wasn’t until my senior year that I understood the financial benefit that earning a degree while in high school would be.”

Discovering Opportunity Through CCP

Leighton first learned about Carteret’s CCP program through her older siblings, Landon and Lauren, who also completed associate degrees while being homeschooled. Seeing their success helped introduce her to the possibilities available through dual enrollment.

She began taking classes in tenth grade because she wanted to explore horticulture science. What started as a chance to learn something new quickly grew into a pathway that helped prepare her for college-level expectations, different teaching styles, and more advanced coursework.

Through CCP, Leighton earned an Associate in Science degree, the same degree completed by her siblings before her.

“It helps me financially when going to college,” she said. “It also lowers the amount of time spent at college since many of my classes overlap with college requirements.”

A Unique Student with Big Goals

Leighton’s academic interests reflect her love of science, nature, and problem-solving. During high school, she took courses in Agricultural Biotechnology, Greenhouse Operations, and Molecular Genetics. She also completed research with the North Carolina Youth Institute, where she was recognized as a Borlaug Scholar.

Outside the classroom, Leighton stayed active as a soccer, basketball, and cross-country athlete. She also served as an NCSRA referee and continued running an outdoor summer science camp for children ages 4 to 7, a program she first began at just nine years old.

Her future goals are rooted in the same curiosity and love for the natural world.

This fall, Leighton will attend NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where she plans to study Plant Biology and Genetics. She is interested in careers such as agronomy and plant breeding, with hopes of helping farmers in areas affected by limited resources, plant disease, and changing climates.

“I want to help make farming easier for countries that have limited access to supplies and are affected by changing climates,” she said.

Learning, Challenge, and Support at Carteret

Leighton’s experience at Carteret helped her grow academically and personally. She especially appreciated the opportunity to take courses that connected directly to her future interests.

Greenhouse Operations helped prepare her for her future major, while Calculus challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and push herself academically.

Completing Calculus II became one of her proudest accomplishments.

“It was an extremely difficult class for me,” she said. “But I was determined that I would be able to learn the material to the best of my ability.”

Throughout her time at Carteret, Leighton found encouragement from faculty who were willing to answer questions, offer guidance, and help students succeed.

“Ms. Chambers, my math instructor, always encouraged questions and was a great listener,” Leighton shared. “Mr. Lupton, my Biology instructor, would go out of his way to read my research papers for other classes and mentor me on how to improve them.”

That support helped make college-level learning feel welcoming and manageable, even while balancing the demands of homeschool coursework, athletics, and other activities.

“I have always had success with instructor communication at Carteret,” she said. “Whenever I had questions or needed another explanation, they were willing to set up a time to meet or quickly respond by email.”

Balancing Homeschool, College, and Life

Completing both high school and college requirements takes dedication, organization, and maturity. For Leighton, the coursework itself was manageable, but balancing multiple responsibilities sometimes became challenging.

Between college classes, sports practices, games, and different locations, her schedule could become busy quickly.

“I like to participate in all things,” she said. “It’s difficult for me to remember that I have to say no at times in order to meet deadlines and work to the best of my abilities.”

Through CCP, she developed important skills in time management, communication, and self-advocacy. Those lessons will continue to serve her well as she transitions to NC State.

The experience also made the idea of attending a four-year university feel less intimidating.

“It has shown me what it would be like in college, with more difficult classes and different teaching styles,” she said.

A Family Legacy of CCP Success

Leighton’s accomplishment is part of a larger family story at Carteret Community College. She is the third sibling in her family to earn an Associate in Science degree through CCP before transferring to a university.

Her brother Landon continued from Carteret to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He later completed a Master of Science in Mathematics at UNC Wilmington.

Her sister Lauren also earned her degree through Carteret before discovering a passion for forensics and pathology. She is now completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

Together, their journeys show the lasting impact CCP can have on students and families.

“Now three of us have graduated with our A.S. degrees and been admitted to our selected colleges,” Leighton shared. “We have saved time, money, and met amazing faculty along our journeys.”

More Than College Credit

For Leighton, CCP was not just about earning credits or saving money. It was about being prepared for what comes next.

“For me, it wasn’t about finishing early,” she said. “It was about being ready for more advanced coursework and making the most of the opportunities available to me.”

Her time at Carteret also gave her meaningful campus experiences beyond academics. She enjoyed SGA events, crafts, fairs, and even “Love on a Leash,” where students had the chance to spend time with therapy dogs before class.

She also fondly remembers study dates with her mom in the Bryant Student Center and lunch dates with her dad, who works nearby.

These moments helped make Carteret feel like more than a place to take classes. It became part of her high school experience, her college foundation, and her family’s educational journey.

Advice for Future CCP Students

For homeschool students or high school students who may feel nervous about taking college classes, Leighton offers simple advice: ask questions and communicate with your professors.

“This is your educational journey,” she said. “If you don’t understand something, ask.”

She also encourages families to see CCP as an opportunity to explore interests in a supportive environment.

“It’s a free educational opportunity to test yourself and explore your interests,” she said. “The professors are there to help you succeed. I had never met a staff member that was unkind or unwilling to help me if I had a problem.”

A Head Start on the Future

Leighton Overall’s story is a powerful example of what makes Carteret Community College’s Career & College Promise program so unique. Through CCP, students can challenge themselves, explore career interests, save time and money, and gain confidence before stepping into the next stage of their education.

On May 15, 2026, Leighton did more than graduate. She proved what is possible when curiosity meets opportunity.

With an Associate in Science degree already completed, a high school diploma in hand, and a future at NC State ahead of her, Leighton is stepping confidently into the next chapter of her journey.

 To learn more information about our Career & College Promise (CCP) program visit carteret.edu.