An increasing number of Suffolk seniors are graduating from Paul D. Camp Community College before they even graduate from high school.

Last week, three students from Lakeland High School and six from Nansemond River High School graduated from Paul D. Camp’s dual enrollment program, up from four across Suffolk last year, two in 2013 and one in 2012.

According to a PDCCC news release, from Lakeland, Reagan Colley, 17, daughter of Michelle and Jeffrey Colley, graduated with a head start on her studies at Old Dominion University, where she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in pediatric audiology.

Lexus Isom, 18, daughter of Sheila Sears, will major in health, fitness and recreation at George Mason University, toward her goal of becoming a physical therapist. Isom serves as president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s Rhoer Club, secretary of the FBLA, and is a member of DECA, Rho Kappa and PDCCC’s Upward Bound program.

Travis Jones, 18, son of Ronald and Trina Jones, has scholarship offers to attend Averett University, Ferrum College and Bridgewater College and plans to major in psychology and pre-law before becoming a lawyer. Jones is a member of the National Honor Society and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society.

From Nansemond River, Rachel Hamilton, 18, is ranked in the top 13 percent of a class of 344. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Beta Club, Fusion Dance Team and the Academy of Classical and Contemporary Dance. She received the Academic Excellence Award (2012-present) for maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA, and will major in biology at Old Dominion University, then plans to transfer to dental school for a specialist degree in orthodontics.

Richard R. Hyman III, 18, son of Estrella and Richmond Hyman Jr., who ranked in the top 10 in a class of 344, is enrolled in Project Lead the Way: Pathways to Engineering, and is a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Beta Club and FIRST Robotics team. He plans to attend the University of Central Florida to study mechanical and aeronautical engineering.

John T. “Tommy” Lowry, 18, son of Keith and Noelle Lowry, is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with Young Life organization. He will attend George Mason University to major in computer engineering.

Christine Pinell, 18, daughter of Cindy and Adam Pinell, is involved in Project Lead the Way: Pathways to Engineering, athletics and the FIRST Robotics team. She is a member and leader in Girl Scouts, where she was the recipient of the Silver Award. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, majoring in architecture.

Trinity Torres, 18, daughter of Estella and Angel Torres, is ranked in the top 10 percent of a class of 344. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Student Council, and serves as vice president of the FBLA. She plans to attend the College of William and Mary to major in international relations and minor in global policy.

Jordan West, 18, daughter of David and Ruth West, is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club, was selected to Virginia Girl’s State and to attend UVA Society of Women Engineers High School, and has been offered scholarships from University of Alabama School of Engineering and University of South Carolina. She plans to attend the University of Alabama for a degree in biological engineering before applying to medical school.

The college’s 44th annual commencement ceremony was on Friday.

“It is wonderful to see these students reach the goals they’ve worked so hard to attain,” PDCCC Dual Enrollment Coordinator Jeanette Pellegrin stated. “It takes extreme time-management skills and dedication to achieve this accomplishment.”

Interim college president Dr. Bill Aiken said, “This program is essential to those students who are focused on completing academic and career goals at a faster pace than the traditional student.”

PDCCC’s dual enrollment program allows high school students to simultaneously earn credits from their high school and college.

A total of 18 dual enrollment students graduated from PDCCC this year.