Student graduates high school and college one day apart

PINEVILLE, La. (KALB/Gray News) - A Louisiana student is celebrating two major milestones after graduating from high school and college just one day apart.

Dillon McTernan Jr. started taking high school classes while still in middle school. And he began college courses as a freshman in high school.

“It was probably one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had,” Dillon McTernan Jr. said. “It was a lot of work. I had to sacrifice some time, friends and some of that stuff.”

Early emancipation

The road to graduation wasn’t always easy. At just 16, Dillon McTernan Jr. became emancipated after his father, Dillon McTernan Sr., was deployed with the Louisiana Army National Guard.

“That’s a really hard decision and it didn’t come lightly. I think any parent would understand that statement, but I knew the capabilities of my son,” Dillon McTernan Sr. said.

The decision allowed Dillon McTernan Jr. to stay living at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, the community he grew up in.

“I was kind of nervous at first, but as I continued to keep going, I learned a lot and learned how to take care of myself,” Dillon McTernan Jr. said.

Dual graduations

Dillon McTernan Jr. first walked the stage at Louisiana State University of Alexandria, earning a degree in pre-med biology.

Then, just 24 hours later, he graduated from Tioga High School.

For his father, the moment carried even more emotion.

“When he crossed over the stage, it was actually my dad’s birthday, who passed away, so it was this culmination of just thinking of my father and what I had to go through. Now seeing my son, it was just a very intense and beautiful moment,” Dillon McTernan Sr. said.

Future plans

Dillon McTernan Jr. has been drilling in the Louisiana Army National Guard for nearly a year and hopes to one day become an anesthesiologist, inspired by an experience from his youth.

“I had a procedure done where I had to go under anesthesia for a little bit, and I thought it was really cool how the doctor was like, ‘You’ll be going out in a second, in like a couple of seconds.’ And you wake up and be all better, and that was really fascinating,” Dillon McTernan Jr. said.

Dillon McTernan Jr. also hopes to use his degree to help fellow soldiers as a combat medic, inspired by his father, who serves as a chaplain in the National Guard.

“He’s been a big inspiration to see what he does and how much he’s been able to help people and impact their lives,” Dillon McTernan Jr. said.

Dillon McTernan Jr. hopes his story encourages other young people to stay focused on their goals, even when the journey gets tough.

“It’s worth it to achieve your goals and work hard for them. And it’s hard work, but in the end, they’ll pay off,” Dillon McTernan Jr. said.

Dillon McTernan Jr. is now studying for the Medical College Admission Test and plans to apply to LSU New Orleans in 2027.