Garner, N.C. — Garner native Scotty McCreery has been a model of efficiency since capturing the nation's heart on "American Idol" last year.

More Info     Spring 2012 high school graduation schedule

He's performed on the big stage with country music heavyweight Brad Paisley while also making time for high school classes and even baseball games. On Thursday morning, McCreery will end one chapter of his rollercoaster life when he graduates with honors from Garner Magnet High School. 

But based on his schedule in the last 24 hours, there's a good chance McCreery will want to celebrate his commencement with a nap.

On Wednesday night, less than 12 hours before he was scheduled to receive his diploma in Raleigh, McCreery was on stage in Nashville accepting Country Music Television's Breakthrough Video of the Year award for "The Trouble With Girls."

"This award is special to me because I got to film this at my home high school, Garner Magnet High School," McCreery said as he accepted the award. "So thanks to everybody who came out to support that and Roman White, the director, got everything going right."

Following the show, McCreery and his family caught a midnight flight back to Raleigh for Thursday morning's graduation, which was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. 

"We have to be there at like 7, so I'll be running low on sleep," McCreery told WRAL News in May. "I've been getting used to that over the last year."

In the fall, McCreery will begin juggling classes at North Carolina State University while pursuing a degree in communications and public relations.

Following Garner Magnet's commencement ceremonies Thursday morning, Green Hope High School (noon), Leesville Road High School (4 p.m.) and Wakefield High School (8 p.m.) will also honor graduating seniors at the Raleigh Convention Center.