LUMBERTON — Javeed Jattan was one of the youngest faces at Robeson Community College’s graduation Thursday; as one of the seniors graduating from Early College High School, within a week he will receive both an associate’s degree and a high school diploma.

The night’s keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, created the early college program, which was highlighted in speeches to 275 graduates and their parents, friends, and relatives in the school’s A.D. Lewis Auditorium. The program enables high school students to earn their associate’s degree and high school diploma simultaneously. Now North Carolina, with the third largest community college system in the country, has more early college programs than any other state. Dalton’s program was recognized by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as exceptional government involvement in education.

Dalton, who sits on the state Board of Community Colleges, said the theme of his message was “take opportunities when you get them and live up to your potential.”

“It’s a selfish reason, really,” he said. “We have to live in their world. ... We want them to take their gifts and talents and help their fellow man.”

Jattan, 19, is the school’s Student of Excellence, and represented RCC among the state’s 57 other community colleges during a recent visit to the Governor’s Mansion. The 4.0 student — who once got a B+, “but that was in Red Springs, when I was young and dumb” — transferred into the early college program his junior year.

“I thought it was the best opportunity in Robeson County to try to get ahead,” Jattan said. His older brother also graduated from the program, which is in its third year.

Jattan, who is a Robeson County native though his parents are from Trinidad, plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and pursue a degree in chemistry — his favorite subject — in hopes of entering pharmacy school. He explained the ins and outs of acceptance to a pharmacy program like he’d done his research; he said Early College helped him “learn more, and organize my plans and goals.”

Graduates from teenaged to middle-aged on Thursday processed in as a pianist played “Pomp and Circumstance” and recessed out to “Trumpet Voluntary” with a diploma in hand.

Jattan was one of 12 graduates to earn an Associates of Science degree; 202 received Associates of Applied Science, 25 received Associates of Art, two received Associates of General Education, and 28 received diplomas.

Charles Chrestman, president of RCC, opened the ceremony, followed by George Regan, chairman of the RCC board of trustees, who told students that “we don’t get paid, but tonight, this is our pay.”

Dalton told students to use their new degree to meet challenges and to give back to the community, state, and humanity. He recalled a saying, “most of us die with the music still in us,” which means most people never meet their potential.

“This is not a pinnacle, it’s really a plateau. You have challenges ahead of you, but because of what you’ve done here, you’re ready to meet these challenges,” Dalton said. “Reach your potential. ... Let out a great symphony of success.”